AJ Ferrari doesn’t just stir headlines. He lives in them. Just weeks after a surprising shutdown at UNC that left his collegiate future hanging by a thread, the former NCAA champ is back in the game, landing in Lincoln, Nebraska. With a storm of whispers, warnings, and one woman’s mission to derail his return to prominence, Ferrari has pulled off another twist. Signing with a powerhouse Huskers squad that’s not afraid of headlines.
Ferrari’s wrestling journey has never followed the safe route. He looked set to step into the UNC wrestling room, a move from Cal State Bakersfield that seemed straightforward at first glance. But what unfolded behind closed doors told a very different story. One marked by external pressure, reputational concerns, and ultimately, rejection. The about-face wasn’t sparked by Ferrari himself or the Tar Heel coaching staff.
Instead, it was the influence of Madison Soltys, a name now impossible to separate from the saga. Now, AJ Ferrari is officially a Husker. He’ll join a team fresh off a runner-up finish at the 2025 NCAA championships, bolstered by returning All-Americans like Jacob Van Dee and Silas Allred. Ferrari himself brings more than star power — he brings a résumé that includes a national title as a freshman at Oklahoma State and a 22-1 run at CSU-Bakersfield last season, finishing 3rd at 197 pounds.
While he hasn’t ruled out bumping up to heavyweight, one thing is certain — the Cornhuskers just got a major infusion of talent. Coming back to Soltys, the longtime partner of a UNC wrestling alum, is credited with sinking Ferrari’s transfer before it ever took shape. She didn’t go to the media. She didn’t go public. But she went directly to decision-makers, making it clear she viewed Ferrari as a threat to the legacy UNC had built in the wrestling world.
With 1st & 3rd place finishes at NCAA’s under his belt, A.J. Ferrari @mrfasttwitch has announced he’s headed to the Big Ten and will compete for @HuskerWrestling this upcoming season. pic.twitter.com/yjVjCTkfju
— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) June 7, 2025
According to reports, her intervention triggered a domino effect, convincing the administration to backpedal. And her reach didn’t stop in Chapel Hill. Sources now suggest Soltys has taken her campaign nationwide, reportedly calling other universities to discourage any program from welcoming Ferrari into their fold. Her stance: the sport’s culture and its champions deserve better.
In her eyes, Ferrari’s name doesn’t belong in that story. That stance nearly worked. Until Nebraska. For Nebraska, it’s a calculated risk. For Ferrari, it’s a long-awaited reprieve. And for the rest of college wrestling, it’s a clear signal. The AJ Ferrari saga is far from over. And before all of this started, AJ Ferrari was listed with the UNC.
AJ Ferrari sends shockwaves through NCAA Wrestling with UNC commitment
AJ Ferrari, one of college wrestling’s most dynamic figures, is heading to Chapel Hill. In a move that stunned fans and reshaped expectations for next season, Ferrari announced he will transfer to the University of North Carolina and compete for the Tar Heels. The former NCAA champion is expected to make an immediate impact, one that could catapult UNC into national contention.
Ferrari’s return to high-level wrestling culminated in a third-place finish at the 2025 NCAA Tournament while representing Cal State Bakersfield, a clear message that he’s back in title form. Now, with his commitment to UNC, the Tar Heels land a proven powerhouse with at least two years of eligibility—and possibly a third if a medical redshirt is granted.
Though most expect him to anchor the 197-pound class, sources suggest there’s also a possibility Ferrari could bulk up to heavyweight, giving North Carolina flexibility and firepower in their upper weights. While Ferrari made no elaborate statement, his decision speaks volumes. A national champion as a true freshman in 2021, his trajectory was briefly derailed, but his path back has been deliberate and powerful.
By joining UNC, Ferrari positions himself not only as a contender but as a catalyst for a program on the rise. With his signature confidence and unmatched explosiveness on the mat, Chapel Hill may now become one of college wrestling’s most-watched destinations heading into the 2025-26 season.
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