AJ Ferrari has burst onto the scene for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, making waves in his debut season with a 4-1 record in duals at 285 pounds. After boldly stepping up from his usual 197-pound class, Ferrari has wasted no time proving his grit and talent against bigger opponents. His only setback so far was a hard-fought match against Nick Feldman of Ohio State at the 2025 National Duals.
Next up, the Huskers are gearing up to take on Brown and Missouri on December 5, eager to rebound from their recent fourth-place finish at the duals.
AJ Ferrari Shares Glimpse Of Intense Training Session
Ferrari’s leap to the 285-pound division caught many off guard, especially considering his dominance at 197 pounds. Last season with Cal State Bakersfield, he stormed through the regular season undefeated and clinched third at the NCAA Championships. The 2021 NCAA titleholder has already proven he can conquer any challenge in his path.
Ferrari has often shared glimpses of how he trains and prepares for matches, with his latest session focusing on powerlifting. In a video posted on Instagram, he can be seen deadlifting 696 pounds (315 kg) for five reps, performing two sets of the exercise, which highlights his impressive strength.
“🚨Strength and Speed mean nothing without Purpose🚨 So I bring Intensity ➕ with Intention. Work ethic > over Talent. Faith > over Fear. Every rep is offered up, not wasted. ⚡️🦍,” he captioned the video.
On Friday, Ferrari will square off against Jarrett Stoner of Missouri and Alex Semenenko of Brown, aiming to extend his impressive run. He was one of just two Huskers to notch a win in their third-place dual against Oklahoma State at the National Duals, underlining his immediate impact on the squad.
What Nebraska Head Coach Mark Manning Had To Say About Ferrari Joining
After his Redshirt Sophomore season at Cal State Bakersfield, Ferrari entered the transfer portal, initially committing to North Carolina before admission hurdles redirected him to Nebraska. Now, he stands out as a marquee addition to head coach Mark Manning’s roster.
After Ferrari’s arrival, Manning had this to say about his new signing, as per the Huskers:
“We’re excited about AJ joining our family here at Nebraska. This decision was a collaborative effort from my team, staff and our administration. AJ’s wrestling accomplishments speak to the dedication, work ethic and competitive spirit that aligns with our program. We believe AJ adds tremendous value to our team’s fight and passion for our sport.”
After months of speculation about his next move, Ferrari has quickly found his footing in Nebraska. The Texas native now sets his sights on capturing another national title, this time in a new weight class.
