Controversial NCAA Wrestler AJ Ferrari Lands At New School After Getting Booted From North Carolina

AJ Ferrari, the controversial college wrestler who won a national championship as a true freshman in 2021, landed at his fifth new school on Saturday. Ferrari announced his commitment to the Nebraska Cornhuskers after being turned away by the University of North Carolina.

The Texas native spent two years at Oklahoma State before withdrawing following a car accident in which he drove on the wrong side of the road and sexual assault allegations. Ferrari then popped up at the University of Iowa but left before ever enrolling after he punched a teammate and gave Hawkeyes fans the middle finger at an event meant to honor veterans.

Following the issues at Iowa, Ferrari lay low for a brief period of time. He eventually surfaced at California State University at Bakersfield, where he wrestled during the 2024-25 season. Ferrari took third place in the 197-pound weight class and again entered his name into the transfer portal.

AJ Ferrari Commits To Nebraska After Being Denied Admission To North Carolina

Ferrari announced his commitment to the University of North Carolina on April 7. But following a story in the school newspaper detailing his sordid past, the university eventually opted to deny his admission. That put Ferrari back on the market, and on Saturday, he announced his latest (presumed) destination.

Ferrari announced that he’ll now head to the University of Nebraska, where he plans to compete either at the 197-pound or heavyweight division.

“You know, a lot of people would just rush and go chase the big dollar signs and just rush towards getting the biggest deal money-wise,” Ferrari said of his choice. “But for me, it was bigger than any type of monetary value. It was a camaraderie of people where I feel like I fit in. I like the coaching staff. They’re Christians, they’re God fearing men, and I know that this team will be a team where I will be able to be in the future, and I will be able to fit in and be like-minded with the same type of mindset, trying to chase a mind like Christ.”