NCAA Runner-Up Rocco Welsh Commits To Penn State
NCAA Runner-Up Rocco Welsh Commits To Penn State
2024 NCAA runner-up Rocco Welsh has announced his plans to transfer from Ohio State to Penn State.
Rocco Welsh, the 174-pound 2024 NCAA runner-up for Ohio State, has announced his plans to transfer to Penn State and compete for the Nittany Lions next season at 184 pounds. Welsh redshirted this season and will have three years of college eligibility remaining. He broke down the decision on The Baschamania Podcast which you can watch in its entirety below.
The Decision To Leave Ohio State
Welsh expressed his love for the Ohio State coaching staff and his teammates in Columbus but ultimately his decision came down to having better training partners in State College. Welsh said, "In order for me to be my best, I have to be in the room with the best partners." The talent at Penn State around Rocco Welsh's weight is filled with NCAA, world, and Olympic medalists/champions including Carter Starocci, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, Aaron Brooks, Kyle Snyder, and many others.
Where Does Welsh Fit In The Penn State Lineup?
Penn State is coming off a historic performance at the NCAA Tournament, breaking the team scoring record with 177 points and ten All-Americans. Among the seven starters returning for the Nittany Lions is this year's third-place finisher at 174-pounds Levi Haines (who was also an NCAA champion at 157-pounds in 2024). However, Welsh stated in his interview that he plans on competing at 184-pounds next year for the Nittany Lions and will likely be in a roster battle with redshirt freshman Zack Ryder.
Ryder was 8-0 this year in his redshirt season while recording wins over NCAA qualifiers Brian Soldano (4-2), Shane Cartagena-Walsh (4-1 OT), DJ Parker (9-2), and 2024 All-American TJ Stewart (pin). Beyond those results, Ryder also is an accomplished freestyle level winning bronze at U17 Worlds in 2022 and 2023 and silver at U20 Worlds in 2024. When asked about the impending roster battle, Welsh replied, "If I want to be the best wrestler in the world and accomplish my goals...if I can't make the starting lineup, I'm not on the right track."
184-pounds is especially interesting next season considering both NCAA champ Carter Starocci and runner-up Parker Keckeisen graduate this year. This year's third-place finisher Max McEnelly (Minnesota) and redshirt freshman Angelo Ferrari (Iowa) are already among the favorites to win the 184-pound title next season. If Welsh earns the starting spot for the Nittany Lions, he'll be an early title contender and will help Penn State on their quest to win a fifth-straight NCAA title in 2026.