The collegiate wrestling scene just got a major plot twist, and it’s sending ripples through every feed. While everyone’s been hyped over Bo Bassett’s monumental decision, a viral post from Penn State’s own Bo Nickal turned the conversation on its head. This isn’t your average recruiting drama—there’s some next-level loyalty and bold statements involved.
Bo Bassett, an undefeated high school wrestling phenom with a flawless 100-0 record and international honors (think U17 gold and U20 bronze), has been the center of attention since he whittled down his list from 80 programs to just four heavy hitters: Iowa, Penn State, Oklahoma State, and Virginia Tech. The pressure was real, and the buzz was off the charts. But, more on that later.
Then, on February 6, Bo Nickal—now a UFC fighter and still one of the most influential names from Penn State’s wrestling dynasty—dropped a post on X that hit 22.4K views. In it, he shared head coach Cael Sanderson’s take on PSU’s recruiting game. Nickal’s caption was just a “,” a mic-drop moment that declared: even if Bassett picked Iowa, Penn State’s vision and legacy are still rock solid.
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) February 6, 2025
Sanderson’s full response summed it up perfectly for all the GenZ peeps watching. He said, “No. We like where we’re at; we liked and loved the kids. We have in the program and the kids we have coming into the program, I think you know, obviously, our greatest route, uh, recruiting tool, is just, you know, we’re going to help you, um, get to the top of the mountain and whatever that means to you. You know you’re going to reach your highest levels and you know to us, obviously, it’s about kind of helping and preparing you with a certain lifestyle and mentality and approach that.”
This raw, unfiltered vibe from Sanderson reinforced that Penn State isn’t just about winning one recruit—it’s about building a legacy. Not only that, the head coach’s words are indicative of the benefits of a wrestler choosing to come to Penn State Nittany Lions. The 45-year-old also pointed out how he wants his wrestlers to achieve accomplishments not just as part of his program but also as a footing on the international stage.
And such a path is possible under the guidance of Sanderson (after all, 11 NCAA titles is no easy feat!). Just take the example of its recruit Tyler Nasak, who helped achieve the prominence it has today. Coming in at 157 pounds, the No. 3 team-ranked wrestler took the No. 1 spot, defeating Jacori Teemer, becoming the highlight performance of the BJC Dual.
So, it is safe to deduce that the Nittany Lions are not much affected by the decision of the 17-year-old. But then again, it’s surely a big gain for the Hawkeyes.
Bo Bassett’s long way to Iowa
Bassett’s journey to choosing a college was as epic as his wrestling stats. After attracting attention from over 80 Division I programs, he narrowed it down to Iowa Hawkeyes. His standout performance at the 144-pound Ironman Tournament—capping it off with a 6-0 tech fall over Carlos Stanton—proved he’s the top 2026 prospect, and every program wanted a piece of that action.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, but I think it was the right decision,” Bassett said to Flowrestling. “You get what you earn, so I’m excited to be a Hawk.”
A decision that some say was fueled by his admiration for Spencer Lee and the whole Hawkeyes legacy vibe. Even Rutgers got in on the mix by extending an invite during a match against PSU, showing just how high the stakes were. And let’s not forget, while Bassett’s pick is a huge win for Iowa, Penn State’s fire isn’t going out. Just look at their recent 30-8 win over Iowa, witnessed by an exact crowd of 15,998 fans, powering a perfect 10-0 season record.
Meanwhile, Cael Sanderson’s recruiting philosophy remains as on point as ever. He’s not just about scoring wins on the mat—he’s about shaping champions for life. Bo Nickal perfectly captures the message: despite the setback with recruiting, Penn State’s future is still laser-focused. The program’s commitment to developing not just wrestlers, but well-rounded game-changers, is what keeps the legacy alive and kicking. What do you think?
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