AJ Ferrari announces commitment to Cal State Bakersfield wrestling

AJ Ferrari is back in college wrestling as he announced his commitment to Cal State Bakersfield, he announced on Twitter. The 2021 NCAA champion won it all three years ago with Oklahoma State before he was eventually dismissed from the program.

But after teasing a partnership with Iowa, in light of his youngest brother committing and being one of the top 2024 prospects pound for pound, Ferrari elected to leave Iowa City. After taking official visits, Ferrari landed on a decision.

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And now it’s official, he’ll wrestle for the Roadrunners. He’ll have three years of eligibility left.

Ferrari hasn’t wrestled officially since 2022 and most recently wrestled at the Soldier Salute Tournament back in December, going unattached.

Ferrari would’ve been crowned the Soldier Salute champion on December 29th, beating Iowa 197-pounder Zach Glazier in the finals. However, a scuffle after the match led to Ferrari’s disqualification.

Ferrari won the 2021 197-pound NCAA title at Oklahoma State as a true freshman. The following season, he was 10-0 before he and cross-country runner Isai Rodriguez were involved in a serious car accident.

After the wrestler was transported to the hospital for surgery, his season was over. But that wasn’t all for the controversial champion.

On July 5th, 2022, a woman filed for an emergency protective order against Ferrari after he allegedly sexually assaulted her three days earlier. By July 14th, Oklahoma State head coach John Smith confirmed he dismissed the wrestler from the program.

On August 3rd, 2022, Ferrari was charged with sexual battery in Payne County District Court. On October 6th, 2023, his case was dismissed. 

Ferrari has a 29-1 career record in his season-plus at Oklahoma State. En route to an NCAA title as a freshman, he defeated former Michigan star Myles Amine, who went on to win a Bronze Medal at the Olympics, before taking out Pitt’s Nino Bonaccorsi in the 197-pound finals.