Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images For Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling, finishing second is not usually in the cards. That includes on the mats and in terms of recruiting. Earlier this week, Bo Bassett, the No. 1 ranked prospect in the Class of 2026, made his official college announcement. Instead of staying in-state and signing with Sanderson and the Nittany Lions, Bassett committed to Tom Brands and rival Iowa. Related: 2024-25 Penn State Wrestling Schedule: Start Times, TV Info For Upcoming Penn State Wrestling Duals The news of losing out on Bassett comes on the heels of another highly-ranked member of the ’26 class picking another school over Penn State. Dreshaun Ross, a two-time State champion at Fort Dodge Senior High in Iowa, committed to Oklahoma State over the Nittany Lions and others. While losing out on Ross was tough, not getting Bassett to commit hits harder. He is a junior at Bishop McCort in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, some 90 minutes from the campus of Penn State. But even in defeat, Sanderson is putting on a proud face. And making sure PSU fans know the cupboard is far from bare. “We like the kids we have in the program,” he told Nittany Sports Now. “We like the kids that are coming into the program. Obviously our greatest recruiting tool is we’re going to help you get to the top of the mountain, whatever that means to you. You’re going to reach your highest levels. To us, it’s about helping you and preparing you with a certain lifestyle that’s going to benefit you for the rest of your life.” Sanderson continued, making it clear that the new-age of college athletics will not impact how Penn State goes about things. That means the Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) payments will not be part of it. “We’re not going to get anybody because of NIL money,” he said. “That just goes against what we believe. We’re always going to be a little slow to change. We’re always going to take care of our kids. But our focus is always on the big picture, long-term stuff.” Read more: Could Super Prospect Bo Bassett Be First Big Recruit For Oklahoma State Coach David Taylor?

Penn State Wrestling Head Coach Says They Won't Use NIL Money To Buy Elite Prospects

Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images Read more: Could Super Prospect Bo Bassett Be First Big Recruit For Oklahoma State Coach David Taylor? While losing out on Ross was tough, not getting Bassett to commit hits harder. He is a junior at Bishop McCort in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, some 90 minutes from the campus of Penn State. Earlier […]

Cael Sanderson Penn State wrestling — Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

While losing out on Ross was tough, not getting Bassett to commit hits harder. He is a junior at Bishop McCort in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, some 90 minutes from the campus of Penn State.

Earlier this week, Bo Bassett, the No. 1 ranked prospect in the Class of 2026, made his official college announcement. Instead of staying in-state and signing with Sanderson and the Nittany Lions, Bassett committed to Tom Brands and rival Iowa.

But even in defeat, Sanderson is putting on a proud face. And making sure PSU fans know the cupboard is far from bare.

“We like the kids we have in the program,” he told Nittany Sports Now. “We like the kids that are coming into the program. Obviously our greatest recruiting tool is we’re going to help you get to the top of the mountain, whatever that means to you. You’re going to reach your highest levels. To us, it’s about helping you and preparing you with a certain lifestyle that’s going to benefit you for the rest of your life.”

For Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling, finishing second is not usually in the cards. That includes on the mats and in terms of recruiting.

Sanderson continued, making it clear that the new-age of college athletics will not impact how Penn State goes about things. That means the Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) payments will not be part of it.

“We’re not going to get anybody because of NIL money,” he said. “That just goes against what we believe. We’re always going to be a little slow to change. We’re always going to take care of our kids. But our focus is always on the big picture, long-term stuff.”

The news of losing out on Bassett comes on the heels of another highly-ranked member of the ’26 class picking another school over Penn State. Dreshaun Ross, a two-time State champion at Fort Dodge Senior High in Iowa, committed to Oklahoma State over the Nittany Lions and others.

Penn State Wrestling Head Coach Says They Won't Use NIL Money To Buy Elite Prospects

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