Former Penn State wrestler Alex Facundo picks transfer destination; where will he compete next?
Former Penn State wrestler Alex Facundo entered the NCAA transfer portal last week. Now, the Nittany Lion is deciding where he will go next. The Michigan native is moving on to Oklahoma State, he announced on Monday. He joins Lions legend David Taylor in Stillwater. He enters his second season as the Cowboys head coach
“God has never led me astray, His plans are always perfect,” Facundo said below a photo of him sitting in Oklahoma State gear. “Feels like home.”
Facundo started during the 2023-2024 season for Penn State at 165 pounds. He finished that season 19-6. He then took a medical redshirt last season as Mitchell Mesenbrink took over the 165 pound slot. Facundo dropped down to 157 last year but lost the starting job to eventual All-American and third place finisher Tyler Kasak. Oklahoma State should have its 165 pound starting spot open on 2025-2026. And, it’s 157-pound spot may be, as well.
Facundo is one of a handful of Penn State wrestlers to hit the portal since the season ended. He is the first to pick his destination. Read more offseason updates below.
Rocco Welsh picks Penn State
Speaking of portal losses, Penn State picked up a portal gain on Sunday night. Former Buckeye and Pa., native Rocco Welsh committed to the Nittany Lions then. He will compete at 184 pounds, and battle redshirt freshman Zack Ryder for the job.
Penn State portal losses
In past off seasons, Penn State has lost a wrestler or two to the transfer portal who wanted to try and get into a starting lineup elsewhere. So far this year, the number of team members choosing that path is higher than normal. As of Saturday, seven Nittany Lions are looking for new homes, and none of them have picked one yet. The list includes Facundo, Jack Kelly, Gary Steen, David Evans, AJ Fricchone, Marco Vespa, and Aurelius Dunbar. Of that group, only Facundo ever had a starting spot. Each is surely capable of hitting the mat more regularly at the college level, though, and will aim to do so elsewhere next winter.
Lions get a big Class of 2026 flip
One day after Ono beefed up the Penn State Class of 2025, the Nittany Lions made a big splash in the Class of 2026. New Jersey 150-pound state champ and junior Jayden James flipped from Virginia Tech to Sanderson’s program last Tuesday. He is the No. 4 Class of 2026 recruit on MatScout’s big board and projects to wrestler as high as 174 pounds in college.
James is the program’s second Class of 2026 commit. He joins Johnstown Bishop McCort junior and recent PIAA placer Sam Herring.
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