U20 World Silver Medalist Ryder Enters Transfer Portal

Earlier this week, 2024 NCAA finalist Rocco Welsh announced that he was transferring from Ohio State to Penn State. The fallout from that move has reared its head today as Penn State freshman Zack Ryder has entered the transfer portal.

With the loss of five-time NCAA champion Carter Starocci at 184 lbs, Ryder was seen as the replacement for Starocci until Welsh’s decision. Now, Ryder will look elsewhere for a suitor. 

Ryder was the sixth overall recruit in the high school Class of 2024 and redshirted last season in State College. He was able to amass an 8-0 record with tournament titles at the Black Knight Invite and the Southern Scuffle. Despite only competing in two tournaments, Ryder was able to rack up an impressive win list. Half of his victories came over past or eventual NCAA qualifiers. At the Scuffle, he downed 2025 NCAA Round of 12 finisher DJ Parker (Oklahoma) 9-2 and pinned 2024 All-American TJ Stewart (Virginia Tech). The Black Knight Invite saw him post hard-fought wins over Rutgers national qualifiers Brian Soldano and Shane Cartagena-Walsh. 

Ryder’s exploits outside of the United States are partly responsible for his lofty recruiting ranking. He earned bronze medals at the U17 World Championships in both 2022 and 2023. Last summer, Ryder moved up to the U20 age group and made the world finals. 

Domestically, Ryder was a Cadet freestyle champion in Fargo. As a high school sophomore, he was fifth at the Super 32 and third at the Walsh Ironman. 

With five of the top-six finishers from the 2025 NCAA Championships graduating, 184 lbs should be wide open next year. Wherever he lands, Ryder could be one of the new faces contending for a national title.