On March 27, the Wrestling Room revealed that Ohio State’s Rocco is getting transferred to Penn State. And it’s just been some days; the heavyweight coach David Taylor seems to have given it a good chase, with no bending down. And we got the hint on the very day when Wrestling Room further noted, “Apparently David Taylor didn’t like this too much and is flying directly to Rocco’s house this morning to TRY to change his mind… Magic Man doesn’t want to give Cael an inch. This is insanity!” Insanity or not, it is to say, Taylor is not letting anything slip right from the tip of his fingers. The team has showcased grandeur and strength under the unwavering coaching of Taylor. The team finished with a 13-1 dual record and then went on to clinch their first BIG 12 Championships since 2021.
And now Rocco’s transfer to Penn State definitely made Taylor go unhappy. But now what’s on the grind? The coach has made a classic move in the portal, getting two Penn State stars into the Cowboys. On Monday, the heavyweight wrestlers from Penn State, Alex Facundo and Gary Steen, took to social media to announce that they are now committing to the Cowboys.
Facundo—ranked No. 2 in the 2021 class—and he’s put together a massive 34-10 record in his career so far. This season, he’s been an absolute banger at 5-0. After spending three consecutive years listed at 165 pounds, he moved down to 157 but lost to Tyler Kasak. Back in 2022-23, Facundo had his first full season as a redshirt freshman at 165, where he hit at 19-6. He placed seventh at the Big Ten Championships but had a rough showing at NCAAs, going 0-2. Then there’s Steen. He came into Penn State as the No. 55 recruit in the same class as Facundo and has had a tougher road, holding a 19-25 career record. Primarily being a 125-pounder, he made the jump to 133 this season and went 3-3. Steen, in the 2022-23 season, finished 6-15, as excerpted from Ocolly.
Both Gary Steen and Alex Facundo have committed to Oklahoma State after leaving Penn State pic.twitter.com/nCgL2k1Au6
— Joey Klender (@KlenderJoey) March 31, 2025
And now, coming back to their transfer, fans seem to have pumped up a little and are going gaga on the internet after the announcement’s been made.
Fans are getting irked by the recent transfers of the Penn State stars to the David Taylor-led Cowboys
It goes without saying that the two have done their work and are definitely hardworking. They have served Penn State quite well and now deserve another shot elsewhere. As a fan writes, “I’m happy for those fellas. Wish them all the luck in the world. They have paid their dues no doubt.”
But will switching schools and clubs actually benefit anyone? And it all depends on whether one is competing significantly; if not, then the switching might not be fruitful, as a fan righteously says, “Steen going is laughable….what’s the difference what club u go to if you are the proverbial training dummy?” So, the question here remains that even though Steen has moved to OSU, if he remains a training ‘dummy’ in the team and does not get considered to be on the mat, then what exactly remains the logic! And to be honest, that’s something to be looked upon. And on the other hand, Facundo’s progress has been uncertain at Penn State. As a fan states, “Maybe, maybe not. Not sure how much he’s improved since Luke came in.”
But what’s interesting to see here is David Taylor digging up and taking away the backup wrestlers from Penn State, as a fan states, “DT scooping up PSU JV talent.”
Well, that’s the entire point, you see! Wrestlers need recognition! One writes, “Hate to see them go but they needed to get their day in the limelight. Too good to not be on the mat on matchday.” That way, the backup wrestlers too get the chance and the stage to showcase their skills on the mat. You can only learn that way. Another added, “I will be honest I expected him to go to Pitt where he was originally committed. I’m sure DT and Facundo both were an influence. Can’t go wrong with Ok St.” Well, yes, who can give a negative nod to David Taylor’s ambitions either? A very commendable and influential force to be reckoned with, and undoubtedly so! Now it’s all to see how things fall into place after Facundo and Steen are in the Cowboys.
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