Ohio State star Rocco Welsh revealed this week why he left the program for rival Penn State wrestling, and it’s understandable.
The Ohio State wrestling program had a big year in 2023-24. They won 15 matches and finished with a 7-1 record in a stacked Big Ten. However, after a fifth-place finish in the conference tourney and being seventh in the NCAA Tournament, the hope was that Tom Ryan and his program could take another step forward in 2024-25.
Unfortunately, that was not the case. This past season, they finished 13-3 overall (5-3 in the conference) and didn’t make much progress in the year-end tournaments. Making matters worse was the revelation last week that NCAA Finals 184-pound runner-up Rocco Welsh entered the transfer portal and decided to take his talents to hated rival Penn State.
Well, in a new interview with Nittany Sports Now, Welsh revealed why he switched sides to PSU, and it all boiled down to the Waynesburg, Pennsylvania product getting to be closer to home.
Rocco Welsh also got interest from Oklahoma State after leaving Ohio State in the transfer portal
“I just think PSU is better for me because of how close it is. I get homesick sometimes,” he admitted. “It was very hard to turn down Oklahoma State because they have a good thing going. Penn State has the best partners and coaches. I believe I can be my best here.”
Wait, Welsh was not just targeted by just Penn State? And he was also in the crosshairs of David Taylor and Oklahoma State? He was, and it seems he seriously considered a move to Stillwater.
“Yes, Oklahoma State was recruiting me while I was in the transfer portal,” Welshe said. “It’s a very good option, and they have everything I need to accomplish my goals as well.”
It stings that Welsh left Ohio State to help Penn State potentially win a 13th Natty in 15 years. But the lure of being closer to home is understandable. However, his departure to go even further away from home to Oklahoma State may have been an even bigger slap in the face and gut punch for the program.
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