Cael Sanderson’s Hodge Trophy Legacy: Dominance, Debate, and a Deep Penn State Pipeline
When it comes to the Hodge Trophy-the Heisman of college wrestling-few names resonate louder than Cael Sanderson. The Penn State head coach has seen four of his athletes bring home six Hodges under his watch, and he’s the only man to ever win three himself.
But after Penn State’s emphatic 36-5 win over No. 2 Ohio State on Friday night, Sanderson didn’t just bask in the glow of another dominant team performance-he hinted that the Nittany Lions’ Hodge count might be a few trophies short.
Sanderson was asked about the presence of potential Hodge candidates on the mat-specifically, Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink and Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez. Both are undefeated this season and wrestling with the kind of edge that makes voters take notice.
Mesenbrink, the reigning NCAA champ at 165, is 18-0 with 17 bonus-point wins and seven pins. Mendez, a two-time NCAA champ at 141, is also 18-0 and in peak form.
Sanderson’s response was measured, but pointed. He gave credit where it was due-“It’s great wrestling, it’s fun to see,” he said-but then came the subtle jab.
“We didn’t advertise our camps in there again this year, so we probably don’t have a chance of winning,” he said with a smirk, referencing W.I.N. Magazine, which sponsors the Hodge.
The comment was delivered tongue-in-cheek, but the frustration behind it was real.
Last season, Penn State’s Carter Starocci made history with a fifth NCAA title-something no one had ever done before. Yet he finished second in the Hodge voting to Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson, who pulled off a stunning upset over former winner Gable Steveson in the finals.
Hendrickson, a transfer from Air Force, became a fan favorite after draping himself in the American flag and greeting former President Donald Trump post-match. He received 30 of 59 first-place votes; Starocci got 26.
It’s not the first time Penn State’s depth has worked against its top stars. With multiple finalists in the mix, votes have been split.
In 2024, Aaron Brooks won the Hodge, but teammates like Starocci, Levi Haines, and Greg Kerkvliet were also in the conversation. In 2023, Michigan’s Mason Parris edged out Starocci and Brooks.
In 2022, Gable Steveson won again, while Penn State’s Nick Lee, Roman Bravo-Young, and Starocci were all finalists. The trend is clear: when multiple Nittany Lions are in the hunt, it can dilute their chances.
Sanderson acknowledged that dynamic. “In the past, we have three guys on the ballot getting voted against, splitting our votes and stuff,” he said.
“That’s something the committee has to figure out.” Still, he made it clear that chasing individual hardware isn’t the program’s focus.
“We’re not worried about that stuff, because those are just a bunch of votes and opinions,” he said. “I love great wrestling.
I love kids that are locked in and dedicated and committed, and whatever uniform they wear. We all play the same sport and love the same things.”
That mindset has been the backbone of Penn State’s dynasty. Since Sanderson took over, the program has become a powerhouse not just in team titles but in producing elite, Hodge-caliber wrestlers.
The list is long and impressive: Aaron Brooks (2024), Bo Nickal (2019), Zain Retherford (2017 and 2018), and David Taylor (2012 and 2014). Even before Sanderson arrived, heavyweight Kerry McCoy won it in 1997 for the Nittany Lions.
And yet, there’s a sense that more names could-and maybe should-be on that list. Mesenbrink finished third in the Hodge voting last year.
Levi Haines and Josh Barr are in the conversation this season. Lucas Byrd of Illinois, the defending champ, could be back in the mix.
And of course, Mendez is right there too.
The Hodge Trophy is awarded based on four key criteria: record, dominance (measured by bonus-point percentage), quality of competition, and sportsmanship. An undefeated season with high-level pins and technical superiority is almost a must. The winner is chosen by a committee that includes former winners, retired coaches, national media, and a fan vote.
With that in mind, Mesenbrink’s current resume-18-0 with 17 bonus-point wins-is exactly the kind of profile that demands attention. But as history has shown, having multiple stars in the same room can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to individual accolades.
Still, Sanderson isn’t losing sleep over it. His focus remains on building a culture of excellence, not collecting trophies.
“Whatever. I love great wrestling,” he said.
And if that wrestling happens to come from a room full of Hodge-worthy talent in blue and white singlets, well, that’s just Penn State doing what it does best.