Carter Starocci Sends Strong Message Over Penn State Failing Bo Bassett

The recruitment world in college wrestling has never been more competitive, and this year, it’s blazing with high-profile commitments, but why did Penn State fail to capture the best prospects this year? Penn State’s Carter Starocci has shared his thoughts on the same, which has got fans buzzing. The top prospects, Bo Bassett and Jax Forrest have committed to different programs. And this is getting hit by questions about the role of NIL deals in making such decisions.

Bo Bassett, the top choice for the class of 2026, had offers from over 80 programs before he finally committed to Iowa. He has gone undefeated this entire season, boasting a high school record of 111-0, proving why he is on top. His commitment to Iowa is being tied to a likely fat NIL deal valued between $5 million and $10 million, even though it’s not fully confirmed yet, but fans’ eyes don’t lie.

His choice to sign with Iowa came after narrowing down his options to four schools—Penn State, Iowa, Oklahoma State, and Virginia Tech. He announced after a PIAA class 2A first-round team match against Corry Area, on February 4. And it has got many wondering if the financial incentives were the biggest deciding factor. 

Just days after Bassett’s commitment, you wonder what added fuel to the fire. Jax Forrest, another highly sought-after recruit, went for the Cowboys over every other program on February 6. Likely hinting at the same, Carter Starocci, one of Penn State’s brightest icons, responded on X, writing, “Don’t forget fellas, you can’t buy a national title. Those are earned. Have a good night. 🤝”

And with this post, Carter Starocci made it clear where he stands on the matter, making everyone see that championship success can’t be bought, ever. It’s a mindset, a lifestyle, and a hard-built legacy—it must be earned. Fans flood their opinions under his post, and they couldn’t agree more. He’s making it clear that for Penn State, it’s about hard work and a winning culture rather than money, backing the legendary Coach Cael Sanderson up.

As of February, the Nittany Lions have remained undefeated for the ongoing season of 2024-25 (10-0). Their recent victories include a 35-3 win over Rutgers on January 25 and then a 30-8 feat over Iowa on January 3, under the guidance of Head Coach Cael Sanderson, Nittany Lions are continuously blooming despite failing to get top prospects.

“Recruiting is like a long-term relationship,” Nittany Lions’ Coach clear stance

Carter Starocci’s message reflects the values that have been at the core of Penn State’s wrestling program under Cael Sanderson’s leadership. The Nittany Lions have built an undeniable dynasty over the years, and while many of their top athletes have been able to cash in on NIL deals, it’s never been their primary focus.

As Cael Sanderson has clearly said, “We’re not going to get anybody because of NIL money… We’re always going to be a little slow to change. At the same time, we’re always going to take care of our kids.” Sanderson believes in developing athletes who can achieve greatness both on the mat and beyond, making decisions that prioritize long-term success rather than immediate financial gains and Bo Nickal, one of the most influential names from Penn State’s wrestling backs this as much.

Sanderson added, “Penn State has a great alumni network, very loyal people. But our focus is always on the big picture, long-term stuff… Recruiting is like a long-term relationship. It’s like a marriage. You want it to be a two-way street, otherwise it’s just not a good long-term plan. We’re not aggressive recruiters. We just want kids to know when they come in here, we’re going to go to work for them.”