Could Levi Haines Get a FIFTH Year?! — Penn State Wrestling 2026-27 Lineup Analysis

Penn State wrestling could have a major lineup decision coming if Levi Haines finds a legal path to a fifth year of NCAA eligibility. On today’s Locked On Nittany Lions, Zach Seyko breaks down how a possible Haines return at 174 pounds would impact Cael Sanderson’s lineup, PJ Duke’s future weight, Jayden James’ freshman timeline, Tyler Kasak, Joe Sealey, William Henckel, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Rocco Welsh, Josh Barr, and the rest of Penn State’s 2026–27 roster picture. The NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model does not currently grant extra eligibility to athletes who exhausted their final season in 2025–26, but legal challenges are already underway. That makes Haines’ situation worth monitoring, especially because another year at 174 would give Penn State a proven NCAA title contender and simplify several lineup questions. Plus, could Penn State make a strategic move with Jayden James by delaying his full-time enrollment? James is one of the top recruits in the Class of 2026, and his long-term fit around 165/174 could shape the next wave of Penn State’s dynasty. On3 reported James as a top-three MatScout Class of 2026 prospect and noted that 165 or 174 are possible future weights. Comment below: would you rather see Penn State load up right now with Haines, or protect the future timeline with Jayden James? Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Become an every-dayer! Subscribe to Locked On Nittany Lions on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lockedonnittanylions?sub\_confirmation=1 Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast   FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LONittanyLions?sid=YouTube Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege Follow the show on X! https://x.com/LockedOnNittany https://x.com/zach\_seyko #lockedonnittanylions #pennstate #nittanylions #pennstatewrestling #collegewrestling #bigtenwrestling #ncaawrestling #lockedon #weare #wrestling #wrestlingnews #wrestlingpodcast 0:00 — Levi Haines fifth-year question 1:01 — Why Penn State should want Haines back 2:03 — Haines at 174 and the NCAA title picture 2:56 — NCAA rule vs. possible court challenge 5:30 — Would Haines actually want another folkstyle season? 7:01 — Penn State’s 157, 165, 174 lineup dominoes 8:30 — Why Jesse Mendez and others matter to this debate 9:33 — Ad break 11:49 — Jayden James deferral idea 12:31 — How the new eligibility clock could affect James 13:39 — PJ Duke, James, Kasak, and Sealey weight options 15:03 — William Henckel and Asher Cunningham squeeze 17:03 — Why Henckel may still have a path at 184 17:45 — More lawsuits and possible transfer portal fallout 20:01 — Final Penn State lineup question Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.