Oklahoma State Lands Third Penn State Transfer With Zack Ryder

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State and David Taylor are off to a hot start recruiting the transfer portal as they just landed a third transfer from Penn State, Zack Ryder. 

Ryder took to his Instagram Friday afternoon to make the announcement.

Ryder was a freshman for the Nittany Lions this past season at 184 pounds, the same weight Cael Sanderson brought in Ohio State transfer, Rocco Welsh. Welsh went 15-0 this past season wrestling unattached for the Buckeyes and projects to be the starter at 184 for the Nittany Lions.

Out of Minisink Valley High School and Westtown, N.Y., Ryder had a dominant preps career. He was a four-time individual New York state champion, including winning as an eighth grader, while helping Westtown to four-straight state titles as a four-time team captain. 

© ALLYSE PULLIAM/For the Times Herald-Record

He’s also a silver medalist at the 2024 U20 World Championships in Spain. He’s a three-time world team member and has won two bronze medals to go with his silver.

The two commits prior to Ryder for Taylor, Steen looks to join the mix in Stillwater at 133 pounds next season, while Facundo looks to slot in at 165 pounds. 

Facundo, a redshirt sophomore, was a PSU starter two years ago at 165 pounds, going 19-6 but losing both of his NCAA Championships matches. He took an Olympic redshirt last year. He moved down to 157 pounds this season but quickly lost the starting spot to sophomore Tyler Kasak, who was ranked No. 1 nationally heading into the postseason. Facundo was 34-10 in his PSU career, including 5-0 this past season.

Steen, a junior, started most of the 2022-23 season at 125 pounds but had seen little dual meet action since.

They all joined Casey Swiderski, who transferred from Iowa State at 149 pounds.