That was about as disappointing as possible! Allar didn't look like he progressed at all, missing too many open receivers; although there weren't many open receivers. We appear to be in big trouble for a receiver. No one stood out. For me the one bright spot is running back...we have a multitude of riches there!

It's time to dump Matt Millen as an announcer, and whoever the other guy was. They never told us anything, didn't point out who made plays; they just rambled! I hope the Koltenicki offense has more to show than what we saw today or it's going to be a long depressing season!

GO FIND RECEIVERS IN THE PORTAL!!!!!!!

Emily Dickinson understood that back in 1861. Hope is what drives every fan base. When I look at the Intermat rankings I see hope for so many conferences and fans:

While the B1G has 4 of top 8 ranked teams, 4 conferences have a team with an excellent chance to reach the podium as number 2 in the nation. There are 6 teams projected to score between 54 and 65 points. That is a very level playing field except for Penn State (WE ARE...). Once a team reaches 2nd on the podium, it's just one more step to first, albeit a huge 77 point step. The only sob story in the group is poor, misunderstood Iowa. Their brand of wrestling suffers from twin problems: the long term Iowa wrestlers are beaten up and worn down while their risky one year rentals are just slumming. Iowa's about to be plucked.

via @KlenderJoey

Happy Friday everyone, if you're traveling up for tomorrow. Safe travels.

That being said, earlier today, reports surfaced that Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith is considering entering the transfer portal. This doesn't come as a big surprise to many of you as we reported on Tuesday evening of the possibility of KLS in fact entering the transfer portal. Here's what we're hearing on KLS and his future with the program.

Will KeAndre Lambert-Smith be with the program this fall?

As of Friday afternoon, the betting odds are certainly trending towards Lambert-Smith not being with the program come this fall. I would expect KLS to in fact enter the transfer portal early next week when it officially opens and I do not expect him to be playing in Saturday's spring game. I will rarely say something is 100% going to happen, and this is not one of those cases. There is still a chance that KLS does return for the fall but that would at this point in time be a surprise.

That being said, KLS entering the transfer portal in general shouldn't be a surprise. He was originally a player that earlier this offseason we had pegged as someone who could very well enter the portal and when he didn't, it was a tad surprising. Things clearly didn't go well over the last two months of the season for Lambert-Smith and quite frankly, I don't think anyone would've been surprised if both sides decided to move on.

So why now?

That's a good question and one we don't have a 100% answer on just yet. Barring a surprise he would've been in line for a starting spot this fall as a wide receiver, so playing time or falling down the depth chart was not likely the issue here. We have heard NIL related reasons as well including some specific reasons including his NIL stature compared to other top Nittany Lions players but we're looking to get a little bit more clarification there before sharing that just yet....

It seems there was a lot of betting going on. When discovered, Ohtani fired his interpreter and it is being blamed on the interpreter stealing Ohtani’s money and betting it himself. Sure Jan.

Login to view embedded media

Just saw the Juice died. F'k 'em.

Weather looks terrible. Rain all week, cloudy wind 20-30MPH Parking will be a mess in the mud bogs!

Gonna be difficult to try out the new pass offense. And will they do a simulated game or a crappy practice starting with 20 special team plays?

He was an outstanding college and Olympic wrestler and won 5 NC’s early in his career but none lately. Although I haven’t seen anything reported Assistant Coleman Scott is likely replacement.

Heard some rumblings late last night that there’s a chance a KeAndre Lambert-Smith could be on his way into the portal.

Wasn’t at practice today.

Now, that doesn’t guarantee anything. But something worth watching.

Link
I must say I am happy for the women’s game. I hope more girls will play the sport. It is so important for kids to play any sport.

Time to start taking a closer look at the 2024 Freshman class. Probably the best Cael has ever assembled. Below I put together some information on the incoming class, including any Flo rankings available from their most recent update. The Pound for Pound (PFP) ranking lists where they are in their class/and where they are overall including underclassman. Weight projection for college is somewhat in flux of course based on what they agree to with the coaching staff. I also tried to add some basic senior season highlights. Certainly, we should see Penn State enter many more open tournaments this year with so many good wrestlers needing matches. Coach Casey indicated that was the plan when he spoke to the Penn State Wrestling Club head of the Edinboro match. Should be a lot of fun tracking their progress and see who can crack the starting line-up this year. I'll try to correct any errors/omissions if they are pointed out.

Luke Lilledahl
PFP Ranking: 1/1
HS weight/ranking: 126/1
Weight projection for college: 125/133
Senior season: Lilledahl put his second consecutive prep crown in the books with a win over Charlie DeSena (Lake Highland Prep, FL) in the finals to end the season with a 22-0 record. The Seminary grappler was third at preps as a sophomore. Lilledahl spilt with No. 2 Jax Forrest (Bishop McCort, PA) last season and was 1-0 versus his rival this year with a win in the Ironman Finals, 2-1. The senior beat No. 3 Seth Mendoza (Mt. Carmel, IL) in overtime there as well.

Mason Gibson - Decommitted 4/11/2024
PFP Ranking: NR
HS weight/ranking: 132/12
Weight projection for college: 125/133
Senior season: The Penn State signee earned his second District 6 and Southwest Regional titles. He finished 4th in the PIAA tournament. At the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, Gibson earned a 3-1 victory over Adrian Meza in the Pennsylvania versus United States of America bout. Gibson was voted outstanding wrestler after he leaped over Meza and eventually notched a takedown just before the buzzer in a frenetic finish.

Brock Weiss
PFP Ranking: NR
HS weight/ranking:139/5
Weight projection for college: 141
Senior season: Brock Weiss was stunned in the quarterfinals of PIAA tournament at 139 pounds. He was pinned from the defensive position while leading 11-4. Weiss forfeited in the consolation bracket to end his tournament.

Ty Watson
PFP Ranking: NR
HS weight/ranking:152/NR
Weight projection for college: 157
Senior season: He finished eighth at the PIAA tournament at 152 pounds.

Joe Sealy
PFP Ranking: 9/12
HS weight/ranking: 165/2
Weight projection for college: 165
Senior season: He became a three-time Prep Nationals champ. He won by a combined score of 34-13 in the semifinal and final rounds.

Zack Ryder
PFP Ranking: 4/5
HS weight/ranking: 190/NR
Weight projection for college:174/184
Senior season: Elected to bypass his senior year of high school wrestling. He moved to State College. There, he is training at David Taylor’s M2 Training Center with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.

Connor Mirasola
PFP Ranking: 7/10
HS weight/ranking: 190/2
Weight projection for college: 197
Senior season: Connor Mirasola became one of just 28 Wisconsin wrestlers to ever win four state titles. He secured a spot in the final round with a pair of technical falls and a pin before claiming the 190-pound crown just 4 seconds into his match due to a medical forfeit

Cole Mirasola
PFP Ranking: 14/20
HS weight/ranking: 285/3
Weight projection for college: 285
Senior season: Cole Mirasola earned his third Wisconsin heavyweight title by pinning his way to the final. Once there, he beat two seed Brock Arndt for the championship.

This list is constantly growing so be sure to check back soon for more updates.

April 13th (Blue / White Spring Game)
CLASS OF 2025
QB Bekkem Kritza (Miami Central - FL) -- PSU COMMIT
RB Kiandrea Barker (Miami Central - FL) -- PSU COMMIT
WR Lyrick Smauel (Erasmus Hall - NY) -- PSU COMMIT
WR Terrell Wilfong (West Orange - NJ)*
WR Qeanu Johnson (Hamden Hall - CT)*
TE Brody Lennon (Gilmour Academy - OH)*
OG Michael Gibbs (Hoggard - NC)*
OG Brady O'Hara (North Catholic - PA) -- PSU COMMIT
OT Owen Aliciene (Avon Old Farms - CT) -- PSU COMMIT
OG Thomas Dumais (Clearwater International - FL)*
DE Jayden Loftin (Sommerville - NJ)*
DE Randy Adirika (Miami Central - FL)*
DT Floyd Boucard (Miami Central - FL)*
ILB Ezekiel Marcelin (Miami Central - FL)*
LB Alex Tatsch (Latrobe - PA) -- PSU COMMIT
LB DJ McClary (Henry Snyder - NJ) -- PSU COMMIT
LB Dayshaun Burnett (Imani Christian - PA) -- PSU COMMIT
CB Xxavier Thomas (Central Catholic - PA) -- PSU COMMIT
CB Jaylen Bell (Grayson - GA)*
CB Charles Bell (St. Thomas More - CT)*
CB LaRue Zamorano (Centennial - CA)*

CLASS OF 2026
RB Messiah Mickens (Trinity - PA) -- PSU COMMIT
WR Travis Johnson (Oscar Smith - VA)*
TE JC Anderson (Mount Zion - IL)*
OT Carter Scruggs (Loudoun County - VA)*
ATH Hakim Satterwhite (St. John's College - MD)*

CLASS OF 2027
OL Maxwell Hiller (Coatesville - PA)*
S Colt Lumpris (Lawrenceville - NJ)+
ATH Elijah Kimble (Canisius - NY)*
ATH Javien Robinson (McKeesport - PA)
ATH Zachary Gleason Jr. (Chartiers Valley - PA)

CLASS OF 2028
QB Anthony Smith (Southmoreland - PA)

* - Holds Penn State Offer
+ - Holds Power Five Offer

Class of 2025 four-star offensive tackle Rowan Byrne out of Iona Prep (NY) is all set to visit campus tomorrow for an unofficial visit. He told Rivals that he wanted to visit for the Blue/White game, but has a track meet this weekend and he wanted to go with his dad over to PSU to watch Coach Trautwein and get a feel for the OL group. Really starting to like Penn State's chances here.

He has two OVs currently to check out Florida State on the weekend of June 14th and Penn State the weekend of June 21st. Byrne is expected to make a decision following his OVs, sometime in either late June or early July he told Rivals.

Login to view embedded media