Sometime over the last few years, the Penn State wrestling team unofficially became a dynasty. The Nittany Lions have won the last four national championships and 12 national titles since 2011. NCAA Xc National Champions
But this dynasty isn’t just built on the mat; it’s built on NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness). In modern college wrestling, the battle for the top of the podium is a battle for fan fuel.
As the 2025-26 season begins, Penn State is the favorite, but the field is loaded with superstars. This preview highlights the top 25 contenders and the key NIL athletes you can help power through RallyFuel.
KINGS OF THE HILL
1. PENN STATE
Once again, the Nittany Lions are loaded. Penn State coach Cael Sanderson has a bunch of wrestlers that aren’t far off his standard. Seven Nittany Lions are ranked among the nation’s top 25. That list is headed by Mitchell Mesenbrink (165 pounds) and Levi Haines (174 pounds), who are both high on the list of fan favorites to win the Hodge Trophy. Mesenbrink won the national title in his weight class last season and finished third in the Hodge Trophy voting. Haines was a 2024 NCAA champion and finished second in 2023 and third in 2024. The Nittany Lions already were super rich, but they got even wealthier when 184-pounder Rocco Welsh arrived in State College. A Pennsylvania native, Welsh began his college career at Ohio State and finished second in the nation in 2024. Welsh is another legitimate contender for a national title. Other Penn State wrestlers that are among fan favorites for national titles are Josh Barr (197 pounds) Tyler Kasak (157 pounds), Shayne Van Ness (149 pounds) and Luke Lilledahl (125 pounds). NCAA NIL Rules What
Penn State NIL Spotlight: The Nittany Lions are a NIL juggernaut. This is how a dynasty is maintained. Fans can fuel Hodge Trophy favorites Mitchell Mesenbrink and Levi Haines, and fuel the blockbuster transfer of Rocco Welsh. Fan-fueling this all-star roster is how PSU stays on top.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Nittany Lions on RallyFuel
2. NEBRASKA
The top fan favorite to unseat Penn State as national champions is Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are led by a trio of elite wrestlers. Perhaps the most colorful is social-media darling A.J. Ferrari (285 pounds), who transferred to Nebraska after finishing third in the nation for Cal State Bakersfield last year. Antrell Taylor (157 pounds) and Brock Hardy (141 pounds) also are among fan favorites to win national championships in their weight classes.
Nebraska NIL Spotlight: The Huskers are NIL savvy, led by “social-media darling” A.J. Ferrari. This is a chance for fans to fuel one of the sport’s biggest and most exciting personalities, along with title contenders Antrell Taylor and Brock Hardy.
3. OHIO STATE
Ohio State doesn’t have the sheer volume of talent as Penn State and Nebraska. But the Buckeyes do have Jesse Mendez, who many fans consider to be the top wrestler in the nation. He’ll enter the season as the nation’s only multiple-time returning NCAA champion. Mendez won the national title at 141 ponds in 2024 and 2025. NC State’s Vincent Robinson (125 pounds) won a national championship as a freshman in 2025.
Ohio State NIL Spotlight: The Buckeyes have arguably the best pound-for-pound wrestler in the NCAA in Jesse Mendez. Fan-fueling a two-time (and counting) national champion is how fans can be a part of his historic journey to join the all-time greats.
➡️ Fan Fuel Jesse Mendez & the Buckeyes
4. IOWA
Fans beyond Iowa will be rooting for the Hawkeye’s Drake Ayala, who is something of an underdog story. Ayala has finished second in the nation each of the last two years and fans are hoping he can take the next step. Teammate Michael Caliendo is also a fan favorite to compete for a national title at 165 pounds. NCAA All Stars Spengler
Iowa NIL Spotlight: Fans love an underdog, and Drake Ayala is the man to fuel. After two consecutive runner-up finishes, energy from the Hawkeye faithful on RallyFuel can give him the push he needs to finally reach the top of the podium. Fueling Michael Caliendo gives Iowa a dominant one-two punch.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Hawkeyes on RallyFuel
5. OKLAHOMA STATE
State NIL Spotlight: The Cowboys are always in the hunt. With a roster this deep, fan fuel is critical to fuel the wrestlers who are on the verge of a breakout. This is how the Pokes build the depth to take on the top teams.
6. MINNESOTA
Minnesota will be led by Max McEelly (184 pounds), who was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season.
Minnesota NIL Spotlight: The Gophers have a future superstar in Big Ten Freshman of the Year Max McEelly. This is a ground-floor opportunity for fans to fuel the next great Gopher as he makes the leap from B1G contender to national title favorite.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Gophers on RallyFuel
7. NC STATE
NC State NIL Spotlight: The Wolfpack has a returning national champion in Vincent Robinson (125 pounds). Fan-fueling a reigning champ is how you build a program. This is an opportunity for the Pack to show their pride and appreciation for one of the nation’s best. NCAA Mens Hockey 2025
8. MICHIGAN
Michigan NIL Spotlight: The Wolverines are a perennial power looking to crack the top 5. Fan fuel for their returning All-Americans and new recruits is the key to getting them back on the podium.
➡️ Fan Fuel the Wolverines on RallyFuel
NOT FAR OFF
- Iowa State: The Cyclones are led by four-time All-American Rocky Elam (197). Fans can fuel this veteran’s final push for the elusive NCAA title he’s been battling for his entire career. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Cyclones
- Michigan: (See #8)
- Northern Iowa: UNI consistently produces tough, hard-nosed wrestlers. Fan fuel is the great equalizer, giving their athletes the resources to compete with the Big Ten giants. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Panthers
- Lehigh: Lehigh has an elite 1-2 punch. Fans can fuel the comeback of Ryan Crookham (133) as he returns from injury, and fuel the rise of future star Luke Stanich (141) after his U20 World Championship. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Mountain Hawks
- Cornell: The Big Red is led by one of the nation’s most athletic wrestlers, Meyer Shapiro (157). Fueling his journey through fan engagement is what can help him break through in a highly competitive weight class. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Big Red
- Illinois: The Illini have a returning national champion in Lucas Byrd (133). Fan fuel is how the fanbase can rally behind their star as he aims to do it again. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Fighting Illini
- Virginia Tech: The Hokies are playing the long game. With a 2024 national champ redshirting, fan fuel is essential to fuel his training and ensure this future-focused roster stays intact. Fueling a redshirt athlete is the ultimate investment in the program’s future. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Hokies
- West Virginia: The Mountaineers are always tough. Fan fuel for their returning stars is how they’ll make noise in the Big 12 and send a new wave of wrestlers to the NCAA tournament. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Mountaineers
BEST OF THE REST
- Stanford: Fans can fuel the Cardinal’s top stars, Tyler Knox (133) and Hunter Garvin (165), as they aim to put Stanford wrestling on the national map. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Cardinal
- Purdue: The Boilermakers have one of the fastest-rising stars in Joey Blaze (165). Fan-fueling his journey after his breakout Big Ten tournament is how fans can help him take the final step to a national title. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Boilermakers
- Missouri: Mizzou has two legit title contenders in Cameron Steed (165) and Keegan O’Toole (174). Fan fuel for this elite duo is how the Tigers can crash the top 5. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Tigers
- Pennsylvania: Penn wrestling has a rich history. Fan-fueling their athletes gives them the resources to compete with the scholarship-heavy programs and continue the Ivy League’s tough tradition. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Quakers
- Little Rock: As a rising program, fan fuel is the lifeblood for Little Rock. Backing these athletes is the most effective way to build the program from the ground up. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Trojans
- Navy: Fueling a midshipman is one of the most unique opportunities in NIL. Fans can fuel these athletes as they balance elite D1 competition with serving their country. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Midshipmen
- Arizona State: The Sun Devils are always dangerous. Fan fuel is how they keep their top talent in Tempe and continue to challenge for Pac-12 (and Big 12) dominance. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Sun Devils
- Maryland: The Terps are in the toughest conference in the country. Fan fuel is the great equalizer, giving their wrestlers the fuel they need to compete with the giants of the Big Ten. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Terrapins
- Indiana: The Hoosiers have a legendary wrestling tradition. Fans can fuel the next generation of IU stars and help them write their own chapter in the program’s history. ➡️ Fan Fuel the Hoosiers
The NCAA Title Will Be Fueled by Fans
The battle for the 2026 NCAA title will be a war of inches, decided by bonus points, comeback wins, and relentless training. In wrestling, every point matters. And in the NIL era, so does every dollar of fan fuel.
From powering a dynasty at Penn State to driving an underdog story at Iowa, your involvement is no longer passive. You are a participant.
RallyFuel is the platform built for fans to get in the game. It’s the easiest and most effective way to boost your favorite wrestlers, strengthen your team’s roster, and demonstrate the strength of your fanbase. New Era Blacksburg
The season is here. Rule the Fuel.
➡️ Find Your Team and Fan Fuel an NCAA Wrestler Today
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
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