Takedown Report

Denny Making Impact For NC State As Pack Wait For Arrival Of Key Veterans

Freshman Will Denny has been a key piece for the NC State wrestling as it waits for the arrival of All-American Isaac Trumble and transfer Patrick Brophy.
Between now and the turn of the calendar to 2026, NC State will have seven non-conference duals. Among the Pack’s upcoming duals will be battles against a pair of Big Ten opponents — at #2 Ohio State and against #14 Rutgers. “We are going to see some really good, high-level guys,” head coach Pat Popolizio said.
That stretch starts this weekend with a road trip to Appalachian State. “We just need to be ready every week and make those adjustments to get your hand raised,” Popolizio said.
Upper Weight Reinforcements Arriving Soon
NC State has been dealing with the absences of a 2025 All-American and another 2025 NCAA qualifier this first month of the season at the upper weights. At heavyweight, Isaac Trumble finished fourth at the NCAA Championships last year. However, during that run to his first podium finish, he suffered a knee injury but gutted out his final few matches.
After the season he had surgery and spent the entire summer rehabbing the injury. He was just cleared for full participation during the first week of the season but has been held out of action thus far. “Health-wise, he is in a very good spot,” Popolizio said. “We are going to err on the side of caution. To me, I’d rather have a guy like that win a national title than throw him in and compete to win a dual. “We continue to work with our trainer and doctors, and I think we have a really good plan. We are just going to have to be patient.”
The Pack will also have a new addition joining the team soon. Patrick Brophy has already signed a financial aid agreement with NC State and will be joining the team for the second semester at 197 pounds. Due to a late coaching change at The Citadel, Brophy was able to transfer and be eligible this season. At The Citadel, he was a two-year starter and an NCAA qualifier last season. He is currently ranked #27 nationally by FloWrestling. “I feel once he’s in our room full-time, he is going to make some big gains and already has some really good wins under his belt,” Popolizio said … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14831405-denny-making-impact-for-nc-state-as-pack-wait-for-arrival-of-key-veterans

November 27, 2025 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | ncaa, sports