AJ Ferrari’s Wrestling Future in Jeopardy as Unspoken Details Out in Public

On April 7, 2025, the wrestling world buzzed with excitement as AJ Ferrari, the 2021 NCAA champion and recent third-place finisher at the 2025 NCAA Championships, announced his high-profile transfer to the UNC Tar Heels. This news, shared live on a FloWrestling podcast and co-posted by UNC Wrestling’s official Instagram, seemed like a perfect match for the talented 197-pounder. But just over a month later, on May 29, something completely shocking went down. So what exactly happened?

UNC had denied Ferrari’s admission, leaving his future in college wrestling hanging precariously in the balance. What could have caused such a dramatic turn of events? “UNC Denies Ferrari’s Admission.” The shocking news came to light through a striking post on X by Justin Basch, host of the Baschamania Podcast. The image, showing Ferrari in his Cal State Bakersfield singlet with the UNC logo and the bold headline, immediately grabbed attention.

Unfolding in Chapel Hill: AJ Ferrari was told he’s being denied admission into UNC, where he had committed to compete with his remaining eligibility.

Path remains unclear from here, but:
– With the Portal now closed, can he go back in?
– Legal options to sue pic.twitter.com/NYsCWuXCHF

— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) May 29, 2025

Basch revealed that Ferrari, who had committed to UNC intending to compete with his remaining eligibility, was completely blindsided by the university’s decision. The denial, it appears, was triggered by an April article in the Daily Tar Heel. This article revisited Ferrari’s past legal troubles, which were dismissed in 2023 due to concerns about the accuser’s mental health.

Perhaps this renewed attention prompted UNC’s athletic department to reconsider Ferrari’s admission, ultimately leading to the reversal. So, what are Ferrari’s options now? Ferrari’s path forward is uncertain but offers several possibilities. With the portal closed now, Basch’s post even raised the question of potential legal action against UNC, pondering whether Ferrari could sue the university for going back on its commitment.

However, the prospect of a lawsuit against a powerhouse institution like UNC presents a complex and potentially challenging legal battle. AJ Ferrari also saw a lucrative two-year, $1.1 million deal with the UNC Tar Heels vanish when the university’s admissions department unexpectedly denied his entry. This sudden reversal voids the substantial agreement, leaving the decorated athlete’s future uncertain despite his Dean’s List grades and impressive ACT score.

As AJ Ferrari navigates this tumultuous period, the entire wrestling community is watching closely. His journey—from an NCAA title with Oklahoma State in 2021 to a controversial dismissal and now this unexpected setback with UNC—leaves a crucial question lingering in the air: Where will AJ Ferrari land next, and how will this dramatic chapter ultimately shape his legacy in the world of college wrestling?

AJ Ferrari’s Unexpected Detour: Where Will the Wrestling Star Land Next?

AJ Ferrari’s wrestling journey just hit an unexpected roadblock. After confidently choosing UNC from a lineup of wrestling giants like Iowa, Penn State, and Michigan, the 2021 NCAA champion found himself without a team when UNC denied his admission on May 29, 2025. Now, with his future up in the air, the wrestling world is buzzing: which powerhouse program will snap him up?

Could Penn State be the perfect new home for Ferrari? While he’s a natural at 197 pounds, the Nittany Lions already have Josh Barr, last year’s NCAA runner-up, at that weight. However, they’re on the hunt for a new heavyweight to replace their outgoing 2024 champion, Greg Kerkvliet. If Ferrari is willing to bulk up, his aggressive style could be a perfect fit in Happy Valley.

The lure of Penn State’s championship pedigree might just be too strong to resist. Iowa also presents a compelling option. The Hawkeyes need a new 197-pounder, as Stephen Buchanan, who beat Ferrari in the 2025 NCAA semifinals, is now out of eligibility. The appeal of wrestling alongside his brother, Angelo, who’s already a Hawkeye, is significant.

Interestingly, AJ even briefly enrolled at Iowa before a scuffle at the 2023 Soldier Salute cut his time there short. Could family ties and a need at his natural weight pull him back to Iowa City? Even Rutgers, despite recent transfer additions at 197 pounds and heavyweight, might still make a play for Ferrari’s star power.

With two or even three years of eligibility left (thanks to the 2020-21 COVID year and a potential 2021-22 medical redshirt), AJ Ferrari’s next move is one of the most anticipated in college wrestling. Where will this incredibly talented, yet embattled, athlete begin his next chapter?

The post AJ Ferrari’s Wrestling Future in Jeopardy as Unspoken Details Out in Public appeared first on EssentiallySports.