Nebraska Wrestling welcomed a powerhouse this season in AJ Ferrari, a decorated collegiate star. Ferrari stormed onto the mat for the Huskers, racking up a 5-1 record in the heavyweight division. Yet, his absence from the last two duals has cast a shadow of concern over the team.
Ferrari last competed for Nebraska during their meet against North Carolina on Friday, December 19, where he defeated Mikey Calcagno with a pin, contributing to the team’s 27-9 victory.
The Reason Behind AJ Ferrari’s Absence
Ferrari arrived in Lincoln for the 25-26 season after a standout run at Cal State Bakersfield, where he claimed third at the NCAA Championships at 197 pounds. His bold leap to the heavyweight class this year caught many off guard, especially given his national title pedigree at 197.
His arrival at Nebraska pleased many, especially head coach Mark Manning, who has led the Huskers to a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships and won the 2025 NCAA Tournament Coach of the Year award. In a press conference, Manning explained why Ferrari missed out on the meetings against Oklahoma State and Iowa in the past 2 weeks:
“He’s not ready to go, he hasn’t had enough training. He’s had that toe injury that’s been bugging him, and so we got him some treatment. Hopefully he’ll be back by next Friday.” he said.
Cade Ziola replaced Ferrari in the meet against the Cowboys, where Konner Doucet defeated him. In the meet against Iowa, it was Harley Andrews who stepped up to beat Adam Ahrendsen in their 30-6 victory.
Ferrari Looks To Dominate With Nebraska This Season
Ferrari is known for his colorful personality, both on and off the mat, often described as magnetic and unpredictable, with a focus on domination. While he is very outspoken, Ferrari’s success is largely due to his dedication to his craft and his relentless work ethic.
In a post on Instagram, Ferrari stated that he is looking to take the NCAA by storm this season, saying:
“Big names. Bigger pressure. I don’t run from it – I run THROUGH it. 🏎️🏎️🏎️💨💨💨 These guys come in with fake confidence 🤣 and will leave with serious doubt. All these “tough,” “great” opponents turn into a highlight reel when I step on the mat. I’m not here to compete – I’m here to DOMINATE. They trained to keep up. I trained to conquer their soul.” he wrote.
All eyes are on Ferrari’s comeback, as Nebraska gears up to defend its home turf next Friday against the Purdue Boilermakers. The anticipation for his return is palpable.
