AJ Ferrari, 2021 NCAA champion, announces Iowa departure, will start official visits
AJ Ferrari, who won the 2021 NCAA title at 197 pounds with Oklahoma State, announced he’ll leave Iowa and start official visits this summer.
Ferrari has three years of eligibility left after not officially joining the Iowa Hawkeyes roster this past season. His youngest brother Angelo, one of the top recruits in the Class of 2024, committed and signed to the school. His middle brother Anthony was expected to wrestle for Iowa last season as well, but was not on the official roster.
For AJ Ferrari, it looked like he’d be a Hawkeye, but he’ll attempt to wrestle elsewhere in 2024-25.
“To all of the Iowa Hawkeye fans, coaches, and wrestlers that were always respectful and knew my character and supported me – thank you,” Ferrari wrote on Instagram. And to all of the Iowa Hawkeye fans, coaches and wrestlers that were disrespectful and didn’t support me – thank you for helping me grow as a person. I am leaving Iowa, and start official visits today. I am excited for the next step for me.
“God is Great. Jesus is King. And my future (is) bright. Coming off this Olympic redshirt I still have 3 years of eligibility left. I am young and starving for success on and off the wrestling mat. Sincerely, AJ Ferrari.”
He 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 Ferrari 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.
Right now, it is unclear where Ferrari will visit, but the wrestling world will be watching.