Main Story

Purdue’s middle-weight lineup features a mix of youth and proven talent as the Boilermakers prepare to open the season Sunday against Kent State. No. 3-ranked senior Joey Blaze anchors the group at 165 pounds, while the starting spots at 149 and 157 remain competitive. Gavin Brown is favored at 149; three wrestlers are vying to replace longtime starter Stoney Buell at 157.

By the Numbers
  • Blaze went 18-0 in the 2025-26 regular season, including 7 wins over ranked opponents, and allowed no takedowns.
  • He finished sixth at the 2026 NCAA Championships, earning his second straight All-American honor.
  • Brown posted a 14-3 start and finished 9-7 in duals last season.
  • Adrian Pellot led Purdue with 16 tournament wins and tied Blaze for the team lead with 11 bonus wins.
Yes, But

Blaze gives Purdue an elite contender, but the other middle-weight positions bring uncertainty. Brown has the inside track at 149, while Saccoccia, Krejsa and freshman Bradley are competing for the 157-pound spot; Krejsa’s Wrestle-Off bout ended early because of an injury.

State of Play
  • Brown held off Cole Solomey, 10-3, in the preseason Wrestle-Offs.
  • Saccoccia, who went 14-6 in unattached tournaments last season, is among the options at 157.
  • Blaze enters his senior season ranked No. 3 nationally, with another year of eligibility remaining.
What's Next

Purdue opens its 107th season at home against Kent State on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Blaze will pursue a national title, while the 149- and 157-pound lineups take shape.

Bottom Line

Blaze gives Purdue a genuine championship-caliber centerpiece; how quickly the less-settled weights deliver will help determine the lineup’s strength.