Carter Starocci, the Penn State wrestling sensation, concluded his collegiate career with an unprecedented fifth NCAA Division I national title, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Despite this historic achievement, Starocci narrowly missed out on the prestigious 2025 Dan Hodge Trophy, which was awarded to Oklahoma State heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson in one of the closest races in the award’s history .
Starocci’s 2024–25 season was nothing short of remarkable. Competing at 184 pounds, he amassed a perfect 26–0 record, including six pins, ten technical falls, and five major decisions, culminating in an 84.6% bonus point rate . His dominance was further highlighted by victories over top-ranked opponents such as Parker Keckeisen and Max McEnelly .
The Dan Hodge Trophy, often referred to as the “Heisman Trophy of wrestling,” is awarded annually to the nation’s top collegiate wrestler, considering criteria such as record, dominance, quality of competition, and sportsmanship . In the 2025 voting, Hendrickson secured 30 first-place votes, narrowly edging out Starocci, who received 26 .
While the Hodge Trophy eluded him, Starocci’s impact on collegiate wrestling is indelible. He became the first wrestler in NCAA history to win five individual national championships, a feat made possible by an extra year of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic . His contributions were instrumental in Penn State securing its 13th national team title in 2025, with the team setting a new record by scoring 177 points and having ten All-Americans .
Looking ahead, Starocci has been spotted training at American Top Team in Florida, hinting at a potential transition to mixed martial arts. Joining the ranks of former collegiate wrestlers making the leap to MMA, his future endeavors are highly anticipated by fans and analysts alike .
In sum, while the Hodge Trophy would have been a fitting capstone to Starocci’s collegiate career, his unparalleled achievements and contributions to the sport have firmly established his place in wrestling history.
