Tom Ryan looks like a man who hasn't slept in three days, but honestly, he probably doesn't care. His Buckeyes just dismantled Indiana 45-0 in a dual that felt less like a wrestling meet and more like a statement of intent. If you've been following ohio state wrestling news lately, you know the vibe in Columbus is shifting from "perennial contender" to "the team that might actually do it."
We're talking about taking down Penn State. It’s the mountain everyone tries to climb. But this year? The Buckeyes are currently sitting at No. 1 in the FloWrestling dual rankings as of mid-January 2026, narrowly edging out the Nittany Lions by a single point. 104 to 103. It's that close.
The Jesse Mendez Factor: A Senior on a Mission
Look, Jesse Mendez is just different. He’s the heart of this lineup at 141 pounds. Coming off a 2025 NCAA title where he clawed back from a 5-0 hole to beat Nebraska’s Brock Hardy, he’s entered his senior year looking like a machine. He recently tech-falled Lucas Peters of Indiana 17-2. Basically, he's a bonus-point vacuum.
Mendez isn't just winning; he’s leading. You can see it in the way the younger guys like Ben Davino—the standout freshman at 133—carry themselves. Davino, a top-tier recruit who jumped right into the fire, is already ranked No. 2. He just tore through Logan Frazier with an 18-3 tech fall. The kid is legit.
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That Wild Night in Tulsa
A lot of the recent hype stems from the National Duals Invitational in Tulsa. Ohio State didn't just show up; they wrecked the place. They picked up ranked wins over Wyoming, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa in a single weekend. That’s a gauntlet.
Coach Ryan mentioned in a post-event interview that some of his guys were literally sleeping in their wrestling shoes between sessions. Specifically Brandon Cannon. The dude is "off the charts intelligent," according to Ryan, but he's also got that brand of crazy you need to win a Big Ten title. Cannon is currently ranked No. 2 at 157 and is a heavy favorite to make the finals in March.
Nick Feldman is the Heavyweight We’ve Been Waiting For
Let’s talk about the big man. Nick Feldman. In the past, Ohio State has had some struggles at heavyweight since the Kyle Snyder era. Not anymore. Feldman is currently 13-2 on the season, and one of those wins was a gutsy 5-4 decision over the controversial and high-profile AJ Ferrari of Nebraska.
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Feldman has "Black Shirt" status—an internal Ohio State honor for the toughest of the tough—and he’s earning it every time he steps out. He’s fast for a heavyweight. Sorta reminds you of a middleweight trapped in a 285-pound frame. He recently pinned Caleb Marzolino in 43 seconds. Forty-three seconds! That’s a lot of mass moving that quickly.
Current Roster Highlights & Rankings
- 125: Nic Bouzakis (No. 3) – A firecracker who keeps the energy high.
- 133: Ben Davino (No. 2) – The freshman phenom with a relentless motor.
- 141: Jesse Mendez (No. 1) – The reigning champ and P4P superstar.
- 149: Ethan Stiles (No. 4) – A grinder who just won by fall against Indiana.
- 157: Brandon Cannon (No. 2) – The guy who sleeps in his shoes.
- 285: Nick Feldman (No. 4) – The anchor of the ship.
The Road to Cleveland
The 2026 NCAA Championships are set for Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. That is huge. Having the national tournament in your backyard is a massive advantage for a team like Ohio State. The crowd will be Scarlet and Gray.
But there’s a massive hurdle first. February 13. Mark it on your calendar. Ohio State travels to State College to face Penn State at the Bryce Jordan Center. This dual is basically for the regular-season crown. The Nittany Lions haven't lost a dual in forever—72 wins and counting—but if there was ever a year for the streak to die, this is it.
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The matchups are insane. We’re looking at potentially No. 1 Josh Barr vs. No. 11 Seth Shumate at 197, and No. 2 Tyler Kasak vs. No. 8 Brandon Cannon at 157. It’s going to be a bloodbath in the best way possible.
What Most Fans Are Getting Wrong
People think Penn State is invincible because of the names on the back of the singlets. And yeah, Cael Sanderson is a wizard. But the ohio state wrestling news coming out of the room suggests this is the most cohesive Buckeye unit since the 2015 championship team. They aren't just talented; they're deep.
Even when they lose a match, they aren't giving up bonus points. That’s the secret sauce. Luke Geog (197) and Dylan Fishback (184) have become masters of the "close loss" when they can't get the win, keeping team scores tight so Mendez and Feldman can blow the doors off at the end.
Actionable Insights for Buckeye Fans
If you're looking to follow the team through the home stretch, here is what you need to do:
- Watch the BTN Schedule: The Penn State dual on Feb 13 is the main event. If you can't get to State College, it's mandatory viewing on Big Ten Network.
- Follow the Freshman: Keep a close eye on Ben Davino. His progression at 133 is the "x-factor" for the team's trophy hopes in Cleveland.
- Check the RPI Rankings: As we hit late January, the NCAA RPI rankings will start to matter for seeding. Ohio State needs high seeds to avoid Penn State hammers until the Saturday morning semifinals.
- Local Scrimmages: If you're near Columbus, the Covelli Center atmosphere has been electric. The final home dual against Michigan (Feb 6) will be a sellout.
The Buckeyes have the talent. They have the momentum. Now they just need to execute when the lights are the brightest. Honestly, it’s a great time to be a fan of the sport in Ohio.