All-American Berge to Transfer to Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State got involved in the portal game for the first time this offseason as they received a commitment from Bennett Berge. Berge announced via social media that he will use his final year of eligibility competing for the Cowboys.

Berge was a three-time NCAA qualifier and 2024 NCAA fourth-place finisher at 184 lb wrestling for South Dakota State. Berge made the national tournament in 2025 after finishing third in the Big 12 and he received the fifth seed. This season, Berge moved up to 197 lbs and finished fifth in a deep Big 12 bracket and was the #13 seed. In each of the last two seasons, Berge missed the podium and went 1-2 at nationals.

Berge came to the Jackrabbits from Minnesota’s Kasson-Mantorville High School after being tabbed the #35 overall recruit in the high school Class of 2022.

Adding Berge might present and answer some questions for David Taylor’s team in the 2026-27 season. Oklahoma State has All-Americans at the 184 (Zack Ryder) and 197 lb (Cody Merrill) weight classes. Ryder was hampered by a shoulder injury for the bulk of the season and might be limited or unavailable if he requires surgery. That would be the most logical reason to add Berge for a year. Berge and Merrill met in the Big 12 Championships and Merrill won via a 4-1 score.

As we noted in Tuesday’s “Transfer’s Impact on the 2026 NCAA Championships” article, Oklahoma State added three eventual national qualifiers and two 2026 All-Americans last offseason. Berge is the first All-American to announce his transfer intentions this year.