Nebraska’s AJ Ferrari has dazzled fans with his wrestling prowess this season, but his name has also sparked buzz beyond the mat. After a heated encounter with Oklahoma State’s Casey Swiderski following the Huskers’ dual meet against the Cowboys, Ferrari found himself in the spotlight for reasons other than his athletic feats.
On Dec. 21, Oklahoma State emerged victorious, toppling Nebraska 22-12 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln. Ferrari was slated for a heavyweight showdown with No. 7 Konner Doucet, but a last-minute change saw Cade Ziola step in instead. Doucet ultimately claimed victory by decision.
What AJ Ferrari Said After Clash With Casey Swiderski
Ferrari joined the Huskers for the 25-26 season after a lot of uncertainty regarding his college commitment in the summer. He initially committed to the University of North Carolina in April; however, he was denied admission at the last minute, with reports stating that it was due to his past legal troubles. He would announce his commitment to Nebraska in June.
A video posted to Instagram captured Ferrari and Swiderski exchanging heated words and nearly coming to blows after the Nebraska-OSU dual meet. Ferrari didn’t hold back, sharing his thoughts about the confrontation on his story:
“Quiet when I’m close, loud when I’m gone. That 149 energy don’t translate to heavyweight. Swiderski stay whispering. Proverbs 23:9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.”
While the situation did not escalate any further, Ferrari clearly made his stance known. Swiderski, who competes at 149 pounds, defeated No. 5 Chance Lamer on the night in a 7-2 decision. The OSU star has not commented on the issue with Ferrari at this time.
Ferrari Shares Glimpse of Intense Gym Training Session
This season, Ferrari made the bold leap to the heavyweight division, leaving behind his familiar 197-pound class. He previously captured an NCAA title at 197 in 2021 and finished third at last year’s championships in the same category.
Ferrari’s journey to heavyweight demanded relentless effort and discipline. A recent gym video he shared showcased just how much his strength has grown.
“💥 This set wasn’t my best and definitely not even close to a PR – but I wanted to show people the grind that separates the men from the boys… the champions from the “almost-could ‘ve-should’ve” beens. 💥,” he wrote.
Ferrari last competed at the dual meet against No. 16 North Carolina, where he defeated Mikey Calcagno with a pin. While he did not feature against the Cowboys, he and the Huskers are scheduled to compete against No. 12 Northern Iowa on Saturday, Jan. 3.
