Ever since Max Dean entered the transfer portal on April 8, rumors started to circulate about where he would go next. Many fans thought he may head back to his home state of Michigan, where he was a 2X State Champion, and become a Wolverine. But brother Gabe Dean put all rumors to rest on Chael Sonnen’s podcast “Beyond the Fight”.
“He’s at Penn State now, and he’s going to be training and wrestling there,” said Gabe Dean. There were rumors circulating Max Dean’s arrival to State College, but now it is official: he will be a Nittany Lion for his final two years of eligibility.
The logical next question becomes this: where does Max Dean fit into Penn State’s lineup? Max made the 2019 NCAA finals at 184 lbs, but that’s definitely not an open spot at Penn State considering that 2021 NCAA Champion Aaron Brooks is returning for his third season with the Nittany Lions. Gabe also answered this question, “Aaron entertained the idea of maybe potentially going up. . . but I think he’s looking to fill that 197 void.” This, of course, raises even more questions since PSU’s current 197 pounder, Michael Beard, made his way onto the podium at this year’s NCAA Championships.
At Cornell, Dean placed 8th as a freshman and 2nd as a sophomore at NCAAs. He took an Olympic redshirt year in 2020, but was unable to compete in 2021 due to ivy league rules. With two years of eligibility left, Dean is sure to make an impact as a Nittany Lion.
