AJ Ferrari has taken the wrestling world by storm of late. The 23-year-old recently announced that he was leaving CSUB and will transfer to the University of North Carolina for the upcoming season. While he will compete for the Tar Heels next season, this season, Ferrari proved that he is still one of the best in the business in his comeback to the NCAA. Earlier this year, he finished third in the 197-pound category at the 2025 NCAA Championships and won at the Pac-12 Championships. While he is aiming to better this year’s performances, do you know how much time he has left to compete at the NCAA level?

While he has had a turbulent NCAA career, Ferrari has at least two years left to win an NCAA title again. Additionally, he could potentially compete for three more years if his 2021-22 season is approved for a medical redshirt after he was involved in a serious car accident. At the University of North Carolina, Ferrari could slot in at the 197-pound category or could even compete in heavyweight. Nonetheless, he could have a major impact on the Tar Heels and would be a serious contender for the 2026 individual title.

Back in 2021, Ferrari won the 197-pound NCAA title as a true freshman for Oklahoma State. While he began the next season with a record of 10-0, Ferrari’s downfall started soon after. He was involved in a serious car accident that left him injured. Subsequently, in July 2022, he was dismissed by the Cowboys and spent two seasons away from the mat. Nonetheless, he proved his mettle by finishing third in his comeback tournament this year at the NCAA level.

For Ferrari, he will hope to get a medical redshirt for the 2022 season, a normal redshirt for the 2023 season, and an Olympic redshirt for the 2024 season. As a result, he will have three more years of eligibility if these cases play out in his favor. Meanwhile, Ferrari wants to give his best in his remaining seasons at the NCAA level.

Business as usual for AJ Ferrari

Before his switch to the University of North Carolina, Ferrari reminisced about his journey there and sounded confident of what was to come. While he considered various options, the switch to represent the Tar Heels was the best one in his opinion. As a result, he highlighted his major goals for the coming future.

Ferrari revealed, “Business is business, here to perform, show out. Here to have fun, embrace the spotlight. I love performing, wrestling at the highest level. Show them the best, win the national title at 197, and win two, three more” High expectations indeed but if there’s one thing we know about wrestling, it’s that you won’t get anywhere without a little faith and self belief. Just ask Wyatt Hendrickson.

Ferrari continued, “I want to cement my legacy, have fun, give God all the glory. Super grateful for all the support I have all throughout the world. A lot of prayers, big support system is why I’m here.” With his dismissal from the Cowboys and the disruptive car accident, a lesser wrestler may have crumbled. But AJ Ferrari? Not a chance. He has mental fortitude in spades, and it will serve him well as he looks to improve upon his 2024-25 season.

While it remains to be seen when exactly Ferrari gets back on the mat again, we could hope to see him as early as the US Open Wrestling Championships later this month in Nevada. On the collegiate front, we’ll have to wait till fall, but it’s guaranteed that he will come out all guns blazing for the University of North Carolina. Can Mr. Fast Twitch reclaim the NCAA title he won in 2021? Let us know your views in the comments below.