Wrestling fans are a weird breed. We track redshirt counts like they’re stock options and obsess over weight class migrations as if they were geopolitical shifts. Right now, everyone is asking the same thing: where is Tyler Kasak?
If you’ve been scanning the Penn State dual meet results lately and noticed a Kasak-sized hole in the lineup, you aren’t crazy. The kid who basically saved Penn State’s season two years ago by stepping in for an injured Shayne Van Ness is currently watching from the sidelines.
The Redshirt Reality for Tyler Kasak Penn State
Honestly, the decision to redshirt a two-time All-American seems insane on paper. Most programs would give their left kidney to have a guy like Tyler Kasak in their starting ten. He’s a Big Ten champion. He’s a guy who seemingly gets better the more his face bleeds.
But Cael Sanderson isn’t playing checkers.
By pulling Kasak out of the 2025-26 active roster, Penn State is playing a long game that most other schools can't afford. They have PJ Duke, a monster of a recruit, filling that 157-pound slot. This gives Kasak a year to breathe, grow, and—scary as it is to think about—get even stronger.
Why sit out now?
It’s basically about longevity. Cael Sanderson mentioned during the preseason media day that they want Kasak for three more years after this. If he wrestled this year, he’d be done in 2027. By redshirting now, he’s a Nittany Lion through 2028.
Think about that.
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A 2028 Tyler Kasak is a terrifying prospect for the rest of the NCAA.
Breaking Down the 157-Pound Logjam
The 157-pound weight class at Penn State is basically a shark tank. You’ve got Kasak, who just took 3rd at the 2025 NCAAs. You’ve got PJ Duke, who is arguably the best freshman in the country. And don’t forget Joe Sealey lurking around.
Last season, Tyler Kasak Penn State proved he was the real deal at this weight. He went 23-2. He pinned Antrell Taylor in the Big Ten semis. He beat Jacori Teemer in a sold-out Bryce Jordan Center.
The only "blemish" was a weird quarterfinal loss at Nationals to Joey Blaze, but Kasak did what Kasak does: he stormed back through the consolations to take third.
Again.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Style
People call him a "tough kid" and leave it at that. That’s a lazy evaluation.
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Yes, he’s tough. He wiped blood out of his eyes during the Iowa dual like it was annoying rain. But his technical growth from his true freshman year at 149 to his sophomore year at 157 was massive.
- Hand-fighting: He’s suffocating. He doesn't just touch you; he moves your head until your neck gives out.
- The Re-shot: Watch the Big Ten finals against Brandon Cannon. Kasak’s ability to score off his opponent's attack is elite.
- Top Control: He’s a Penn State wrestler. He rides like his life depends on it.
The Freestyle Pivot
Just because he isn't in a Penn State singlet on Friday nights doesn't mean he's sitting on the couch eating chips.
In November 2025, Kasak went to the Bill Farrell Memorial International and absolutely tore it up. He beat Caleb Henson—a guy who has a National title to his name—in the 70 kg semifinals. He ended up taking the silver medal after a tight final with Ian Parker.
That tells you everything you need to know. He’s staying sharp. He’s wrestling world-class competition while his college peers are grinding through a grueling dual season.
Life Off the Mat: Not Just a Gym Rat
It’s easy to forget these guys have lives. Kasak is a Doylestown native and a Bethlehem Catholic product. When he isn't in the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex, he’s usually outdoors.
He’s a huge hunter. If you follow him on social media, you’re just as likely to see a picture of a buck or a fish as you are a wrestling medal. He’s also a Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management major.
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There’s a groundedness to him that seems to help when the lights get bright. He doesn’t seem to feel the pressure of the Penn State "dynasty" because he’s too busy thinking about his next hunting trip or his dog, Bo.
What Happens in 2026-27?
This is where it gets interesting.
With Levi Haines eventually moving on and Mitchell Mesenbrink likely shifting weights, the middle of the Penn State lineup is going to look different. Kasak will be back.
He’ll be a redshirt junior. He’ll have a year of freestyle gains under his belt. He’ll likely be the favorite to win the whole damn thing at 157 or 165, depending on where the staff puts him.
Actionable insights for the Penn State fan:
- Don't panic about the lineup. The redshirt is a strategic move to maximize Kasak's "peak" years.
- Follow the Freestyle circuit. If you want to see him compete this year, watch for the U.S. Open or World Team Trials. That’s where he’ll be.
- Watch PJ Duke closely. His performance this year determines if Kasak stays at 157 or moves up.
The reality of Tyler Kasak Penn State is that he's already a legend in State College for his "next man up" mentality in 2024. This sabbatical year isn't a sign of him slowing down; it's the preparation for a two-year run at the top of the podium.
Wait until next November. He’s going to be a problem.