Photo: Tony Rotundo

Is it finally Ono time?

Jeff Byers, the voice of Penn State wrestling, said on Monday's Locked On Nittany Lions with host Zach Seyko that he expects Masanosuke "Masa" Ono to wrestle at 133 pounds in Thursday's season opener against Bloomsburg.

"I think fans will be very happy with what they see Thursday night against Bloomsburg."

Asked where Ono fits in the lineup, Byers didn't hesitate:

"My expectation would be 133. I think that's just his more natural weight. And I think that's kind of where it probably makes the most sense just from a lineup standpoint right now for Penn State."

Get the Most Out of This Season

Ono's situation is unlike anyone else's in college wrestling. He's balancing a new style, classes in a new country, and his goal of representing Japan, with the Japanese Olympic trials coming up in December. His eligibility beyond this season is also still uncertain, and Byers said that's part of why Ono wants to get going now.

"Because they just don't know what sort of eligibility he has after this year, I think he's just going to get going and make sure he at least gets the most out of this season, which he knows he does have."

Byers said none of it seems to bother him:

"There is nothing that seems to faze him. He is just a guy that just, again, exudes joy."

What About Marcus Blaze?

With Ono at 133, Byers expects Marcus Blaze to eventually move up to 141, but not right away. Coming off his World medal, Blaze will get some time before the switch.

"I think eventually Marcus will make the move up to 141 and, you know, there'll be a little bit of an adjustment period for him to make that move up."

Byers said he didn't know of a set timeline, but "I don't think it'll be real long." In the meantime, Seyko pointed out that Nate Desmond, who started at 141 for part of last season, is ready if Penn State needs him there.

A Loaded 133

Ono steps into one of the deepest weights in the country, with Jax Forrest, Ben Davino, Aaron Seidel and Iowa's Ryan Crookham. Byers said Forrest "obviously has to go in as the number one guy," but added he "would not be shocked to see that thing shake out a bunch of different ways."

He also expects Ono to get better as he adjusts to folkstyle, especially on the mat:

"I think the one thing with Ono is he's going to get better and better as the season goes along. He just needs the experience."

Levi Haines' Outlook

The 10th Circuit ruled against the Class of 2022 athletes last week, but Haines could still pursue a fifth year by winning a temporary restraining order in a Pennsylvania court. Byers said he doesn't know Haines' plans, but his guess is the new World champion is ready to move on:

"My guess is, and it's just a guess, is that I think he'd be pretty content at this point just moving on from the collegiate ranks and, you know, helping these guys out, but starting to really just dial in on freestyle."

If Haines did decide to come back, Byers said Penn State would "welcome him back with open arms." If not, the Nittany Lions are "perfectly fine with the lineup as projected."

Watch the Full Interview

Penn State opens its season Thursday, Nov. 12, against Bloomsburg at Rec Hall (7 p.m. ET, B1G+).