AJ Ferrari might not be sitting at No. 1 right now, but if you think that’s slowing him down—think again. The former NCAA champion just locked in another high-profile NIL deal, proving that rankings aren’t the only scoreboard that matters in 2025.

On February 26th, Ferrari took to Instagram to announce his latest partnership with Hydragun, unveiling their SuperTub as his new go-to recovery essential. In his post, Ferrari made his message clear: “Being a D1 NCAA Champion % in Wrestling (one of if not the hardest sports on the body) and chasing National Championship #2 requires a Champion lifestyle of recovery year-round, especially if you want to do this humbling sport for a long time and not constantly be injured.” Further stating in the video, “It’s got a chiller and everything, guys. This is the top-notch, best of the best. In the whole garage, we do workouts in here. It’s at 43 degrees right now. We’ve had it on for about, I’d say, maybe 30 minutes, an hour, but yeah, we’re gonna go cold plunge, you ready? Let’s go. 43 degrees, easy money. Let’s go.”

This latest NIL deal adds to Ferrari’s off-mat empire. Hydragun is a company that specializes in wellness and recovery products. AJ Ferrari got the Supertub 0.8, priced at $3,999, features Hydragun’s Permafrost™ chilling system, keeping water as cold as 37°F with a 0.8 horsepower chiller. Made from military-grade marine vinyl, it holds 60 gallons and includes advanced filtration with a commercial ozone generator—a pro-level recovery tool for Ferrari’s intense training routine.

But here’s the twist—despite Ferrari’s undefeated 15-0 record, he still sits at No. 2 in the latest NCAA rankings, trailing Iowa’s Stephen Buchanan (19-0). Ferrari will have a chance to settle the debate on the Big 12 championships and the NCAA championship. A dominant performance there could set him up well; also, 14 programs are said to partake in it.

AJ Ferrari’s rankings battle

Yet, for all the deals, followers, and viral moments, Ferrari knows one thing—none of it guarantees a No. 1 ranking or a second NCAA title. After transferring to Cal State Bakersfield in 2024, Ferrari spent months battling limited competition, nagging injuries, and media silence. That drought ended with his February 21, 2025 showdown against California Baptist’s Eli Sheeren, where Ferrari delivered a statement win—a dominant 20-4 technical fall that extended his unbeaten streak to 34 straight matches.

Despite his flawless record this season, Ferrari currently holds the No. 2 spot at 197 pounds in the latest wrestling NCAA rankings, sitting just behind Iowa’s Stephen Buchanan (19-0). Meanwhile, Penn State’s Josh Barr (17-1) holds the No. 3 spot.

That No. 2 ranking reflects both respect and unfinished business. Ferrari has proven himself against ranked opponents like Stanford’s Nick Stemmet and Oregon State’s Tanner Harvey, but Buchanan’s continued dominance keeps him atop the weight class—for now. The general consensus? AJ Ferrari has the firepower to claim another NCAA title, but to sit at No. 1, he’ll need to run through Buchanan when it matters most—at the Big 12 Championships on March 8-9, 2025, and the NCAA Championships on March 20-22, 2025, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Once dismissed as a flashy sideshow with more controversy than consistency, Ferrari has flipped the narrative. Now, with fans chanting “NCAA champ” instead of cracking jokes, he’s closer than ever to the respect he craves. But in wrestling, unlike NIL deals, rankings and titles aren’t handed out for hype. If Ferrari wants his off-mat empire to match his on-mat legacy, every match between now and the NCAA Championships will be a proving ground.

Because at the end of the day, Ferrari knows this—brands pay attention to champions, but legends are built under the lights when the whistle blows. What’s your take? Comment below!