Brace yourselves, college wrestling fans. The ground just shook in Lincoln—and it wasn’t a tractor on the move. It was the thunderous arrival of AJ Ferrari, the most electric, enigmatic, and polarizing figure in collegiate wrestling, committing to the Nebraska Cornhuskers in a move that has stunned the sport from coast to coast.
Yes, that AJ Ferrari. The 2021 NCAA Champion. The 51-2 collegiate powerhouse. The high-octane, muscle-bound marvel with a resume that makes coaches salivate—and a history that raises eyebrows. Nebraska didn’t just make a splash; they unleashed a tidal wave.
And if head coach Mark Manning’s latest gamble pays off? The Huskers might not just be podium contenders anymore. They could be gunning for dynasty disruption.
The Mat Monster Returns—At Heavyweight
When Ferrari steps onto the mat next season, it won’t be at 197 pounds, where he once ruled. The flamboyant, high-flying superstar has bulked up to nearly 230 pounds and is setting his sights on heavyweight, the final frontier in collegiate wrestling. And folks, that weight class just got a whole lot more dangerous.
Ferrari fills the one glaring void in Nebraska’s nearly flawless roster. Last year, the Huskers sent nine wrestlers to the NCAA Championships—eight of them earned All-American status. Two were crowned national champions. But heavyweight? That was the weak link. Not anymore.
In one stroke, Nebraska has gone from having a soft spot to securing one of the most lethal upperweights in the country. With Ferrari joining six other All-Americans—two of them national champions and three NCAA finalists—Nebraska isn’t just chasing greatness. It’s staging a full-blown coup d’état on Penn State’s throne.
The Heavyweight Field Just Got Lighter—and Ferrari Got Louder
Let’s not forget: the heavyweight class has been cleared out. With titans like Gable Steveson, Greg Kerkvliet, and Wyatt Hendrickson moving on, the division is wide open. Ferrari’s main competition? Isaac Trumble of NC State and Iowa State’s Yonger Bastida. Big names, sure—but Ferrari is a big name with a bigger game. If he stays healthy and locked in, he could steamroll his way to another national title.
A Star with Baggage: The Controversial Past of AJ Ferrari
But with greatness comes gravity—and Ferrari’s story isn’t all celebration and sparkle.
The former Oklahoma State superstar was dismissed from the program after facing a felony sexual battery charge in 2022. The charges were later dismissed in October 2023, but the fallout from that episode still casts a long shadow. Since his departure from Stillwater, Ferrari has wrestled unattached, trained at multiple programs, briefly committed to North Carolina, and now finally—mercifully? miraculously? mischievously?—landed at Nebraska.
For some, it’s redemption. For others, it’s a risk. But for Nebraska? It’s a daring leap of faith—and perhaps the final piece in a national title puzzle.
Manning’s Mission: Build a Brotherhood, Not Just a Lineup
What makes this move even more fascinating is the man pulling the strings—Mark Manning. He’s not just a coach. He’s a culture-builder. A no-nonsense, spiritually rooted, detail-obsessed tactician who doesn’t just coach wrestlers—he mentors men.
Ferrari cited Nebraska’s faith-driven atmosphere as a key reason for his commitment. He was especially drawn to Manning’s leadership and the staff’s strong Christian values. That connection—genuine, grounded, and shared—might be the stabilizing force Ferrari’s career has long needed.
This isn’t a free-for-all. It’s Belichick-style management in singlets. Think Randy Moss to New England. Think transformation. Think discipline meets dynamite.
From Fargo to Freestyle Stardom: Ferrari’s Sky-High Ceiling
Let’s not forget the sheer wrestling excellence Ferrari brings. He’s a former Junior Fargo champ, a Cadet World bronze medalist, and was the No. 1 overall recruit in 2020. The man has freestyle potential at 97kg, and now he’ll be sharpening his skills with legends like Olympic bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev—Nebraska’s assistant coach and the mastermind behind the Nebraska Wrestling Training Center.
And Ferrari’s practice room just got elite. He’ll train with an arsenal of partners: Eric Schultz, Camden McDanel, Harley Andrews, and more. With Dlagnev’s Olympic-level insight and Nebraska’s rising RTC prestige, this could turn Ferrari from a powerhouse into a juggernaut.
Nebraska: Underdog No More?
Let’s not kid ourselves. Penn State still looks like the Death Star. But Nebraska? They’ve assembled a rebel alliance worth watching.
With seven projected All-Americans, two NCAA champions, and now a headline-dominating former champ in Ferrari, Nebraska might just be the biggest threat to Penn State’s reign in years. Manning isn’t whispering about chasing titles anymore—he’s shouting it from the mat.
And make no mistake: this isn’t just a feel-good sports story. This is wrestling’s version of a high-stakes, high-drama, all-in poker game.
Ferrari’s Final Ride: Redemption or Ruin?
Ferrari’s arrival in Lincoln is equal parts thrilling and nerve-wracking. He has two years of eligibility remaining (possibly), and the potential to go undefeated in both. But that depends on more than just talent—it depends on discipline, humility, and trust.
In many ways, Ferrari’s commitment to Nebraska is the ultimate second-chance story. He’s got the skills. He’s got the spotlight. And now, he’s got the support.
Will he rise, roar, and redeem himself?
Or will controversy come calling again?
One thing’s for sure: wrestling fans, buckle up. Because AJ Ferrari and Nebraska just turned the 2025 season into a must-watch thrill ride. And the drama? It’s only just beginning.
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