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Last week, Rutgers wrestling got a commitment from senior P.J. Casale, one of the top wrestlers in the nation. The Scarlet Knights are also doing well with in-state Jimmy Mullen, another top wrestler. The St. Joseph (Montvale) star is a member of the class of 2023.
The addition of Casale, who won the 220-pound weight class as a sophomore with Delbarton, is a boost not just for the Rutgers squad but also in the program’s recruitment of Mullen. Casale and Mullen are considered close friends and the duo opted to wrestle at a national tournament this past spring than in the state tournament.
Mullen was the state’s heavyweight champion in 2020, earning first-team all-county and all-league honors in the process.
His friend’s commitment to the Big Ten wrestling program had an impression on Mullen.
“Definitely, it makes them a stronger team,” Mullen told ‘Rutgers Wire.’
“The best kids in Jersey are staying home; me and P.J. have been close since we were little kids. Neither one of us would have skipped states last year and [gone] to world team trials if the other didn’t also.”
At the Cadet World Team Trials in Wisconsin this past April, Mullen wrestled at 110 kg and made the United States team, going 10-0 in the process.
Due to his football commitments (Mullen is also a three-star defensive end who is being recruited by some schools for both football and wrestling), recruiting has been a bit slow. He recently took an official visit to North Carolina “and that was an amazing place” he said.
Taking visits is a challenge given his football schedule, which sees him playing on most Saturdays. But a number of top national programs are after the talented (and out-going) Mullen and making a push for him.
“The hardest, I would say in wrestling are North Carolina, Michigan, Rutgers, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Arizona State, Virginia Tech,” Mullen said.
“In football: West Virginia, Cincinnati, Maryland, Temple, UConn, and Pitt.”