The four-time back-to-back NCAA Champions need not be bothered by any program in the nation. Penn State starts the 2025-26 season as the favorites, as usual. But yet, the Cowboys have done enough to be an annoying presence for the Nittany Lions. So much so that the defending NCAA champions are not taking anything for granted.

Penn State has been reinforcing its roster, adding Jayden James as a 2026 commit in March 2025. They are also among the finalists for Bo Bassett, who recently decommitted from the Hawkeyes. But right now, their attention is on a Pennsylvania native who is making quite a stir. Landon Sidun will be a 2027 recruit who is being chased by most of the major programs in the nation, and that includes Oklahoma, too.

Well, Penn State is the front-runner, but it looks like they aren’t taking any chances. Dave Sidun shared an update on X on August 12, which shows Cael Sanderson and Cody Sanderson with him and his son, Landon Sidun. The caption read, “So awesome having coach Cody and Cael Sanderson of Penn State at our home for a visit!” It’s obvious the Nittany Lions mean business.

Just a month ago, it was mistakenly reported that the Norwin High Schooler had already committed to Penn State. Landon is yet to make up his mind, and coming on the Locked on Lions podcast in July, the Middle School Super 32 Champion had this to say: “I’m not going to rush it, but let’s just say I meet with everyone, and I’ll commit when I know where I need to be.”

He further said, “I’ll sit down with my family, think about pros and cons, and that’s when I’ll make my decision.” No wonder head coach Cael Sanderson and assistant coach Cody Sanderson didn’t waste time linking up with the family to convince them Penn State is the place to be. Well, with the massive support that has recently come their way, Penn State becomes a difficult option to pass up.

But it has happened, though, in the past. Case in point, Jax Forrest. With the final options being Iowa, Penn State, Ohio, and Oklahoma State, the class of 2025 recruit chose the Cowboys. And the reason was the connection with the staff at Stillwater. After the official announcement on FloWrestling radio, Forrest said, “The one thing that really stuck out to me that was different about Oklahoma State is just all their supporting staff and Zo (Zoheir El Ouarraqe) and all the other people that my parents know down there and everything.”

Another name who eventually chose the Cowboys is Zack Ryder. The 184 lb wrestler even initially committed to Penn State before applying for a transfer. The freshman will be seen in the 2025-26 season in David Taylor’s camp as they try to improve on their 2025 success. The ultimate goal is the NCAA Championships, which is why this Cowboys-Penn State to-and-fro is getting very interesting. They have been at it for a while.

The growing power struggle between Penn State and the Cowboys

On the mat, there is one undisputed champion. Penn State is a well-oiled machine under Cael Sanderson, while David Taylor just took over in May 2024 and will try to win their first NCAA Team title since 2006. But Taylor’s influence is very well there to see. The season started with assistant coach Jimmy Kennedy switching sides after 3 years as an assistant coach with Penn State.

Even Taylor himself is a Penn State alum. Go figure. The Jax Forrest and Zack Ryder swoop, then take on a whole new light in this backdrop. In March, the Cowboys scored two more pinches—Alex Facundo and Gary Steen made the headline transfer to the Cowboys RTC as they set the tone for a growing rivalry. Penn State is not having everything its way.

Not everything has gone the Cowboys’ way, though. After the initial addition of Olympian Thomas Gilman to the Cowboys coaching staff, David Taylor had to see the 2020 Olympic bronze medalist go back to Penn State. The status quo hasn’t shifted, but the Cowboys have managed to tilt the skew all thanks to David Taylor’s leadership. And the Cowboys head coach has been busy getting his men ready for 2025-26.