AJ Ferrari Transfers to UNC, Sets Sights on NCAA Championship

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — AJ Ferrari, the former NCAA wrestling champion, announced today that he will transfer to the University of North Carolina and compete for the Tar Heels next season. The announcement was made during an appearance on FloWrestling Radio Live.

Ferrari, who won the 197-pound NCAA title as a freshman in 2021 while wrestling for Oklahoma State, experienced a challenging period that included a medical leave and a subsequent comeback. Having spent the 2024-2025 season at California State University, Bakersfield, where he achieved a third-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Ferrari has expressed eagerness to reclaim his top status. He stated, “I am starving for success on and off the wrestling mat” and is looking to pursue glory as a Tar Heel.

“It’s always a great day to be a Tar Heel! If I were you, I would have bought stock in North Carolina wrestling yesterday!” tweeted UNC head coach Tony Ramos shortly before Ferrari confirmed his transfer, hinting at the decision before it was publicly known.

Throughout his stint in college wrestling, Ferrari has shown great resilience, battling both physical and personal challenges. The state of his eligibility remains somewhat ambiguous; however, he has indicated that he has at least two years left, with the potential for a medical redshirt from the 2021-2022 season.

Ferrari’s prior experience at Oklahoma State, where he started strong with a 10-0 record in his sophomore year, was cut short amidst serious allegations; he later returned to the mat for CSUB, finishing with an impressive record of 21-1. During the 2025 NCAA Championships, he expressed gratitude for CSUB and excitement for new opportunities.

As he prepares for the next chapter at UNC, the prospect of competing at 197 pounds or even transitioning to heavyweight remains on the table. Ferrari expressed confidence about his future participation in upcoming tournaments, especially the US Open Wrestling Championships scheduled for April 23-27 in Las Vegas. “If my body’s feeling good, I gotta see how my body’s feeling… I want to give it a good shot,” he said regarding his plans.

The UNC wrestling program, historically competitive but with some recent struggles, sees Ferrari’s arrival as a pivotal moment. His decision to join comes after careful consideration of several other top programs, including Penn State and Iowa, and aligns with his desire for continued growth on and off the mat.

Ferrari’s choice of North Carolina potentially positions him as a key athlete in pursuit of NCAA titles as he joins a roster hoping to reclaim national prominence. With the support of his new coaching staff, led by Ramos and a commitment to excellence, the Tar Heels are optimistic about what lies ahead.

As the wrestling community anticipates his next moves, only time will reveal the impact of Ferrari’s decision on both his career and the UNC wrestling program.