Penn State wrestling has reportedly been in contact with the talented-but-polarizing AJ Ferrari.
Pat Mineo of the Wrestling Room reported this Tuesday afternoon.
(NO APRIL FOOLS)
Per source, both Penn State & Oklahoma State (yes, OSU) have been in contact with AJ Ferrari in the portal, with several other teams vying for his services. I would expect a decision in the next few weeks! 👀
— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) April 1, 2025
Zach Seyko of Locked On Nittany Lions then reported that Penn State was not in contact with Ferrari, to which Mineo responded by doubling down on his initial report.
I've been told that Penn State wrestling and Cael Sanderson are NOT in contact with AJ Ferrari.
There is no plan to make him the heavyweight next season.
— Zach Seyko (@zach_seyko) April 2, 2025
— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) April 2, 2025
Regardless of if Penn State is interested in Ferrari, the thought of him competing for coach Cael Sanderson and company is interesting enough to write about. Is Ferrari’s talented enough that Penn State can live with, well, everything else that comes with him? Here are three reasons why AJ Ferrari to Penn State would be a good idea and three reasons why it wouldn’t be.
WHY IT’D BE A GOOD IDEA
Reason No. 1: He’s really good at wrestling
Let’s start with the obvious. Ferrari has wrestled in two NCAA Championships. In the first one, he won a national title as a true freshman at 197 pounds in 2021. In the second, which finished late last month, he ended in third. Ferrari would have been a contender, if not the favorite, to win it all again in 2022, winning his first 10 matches. But a car accident in late January ended his season. Assuming Ferrari can compete for a full season in 2025-26, odds are, he’d be right there again. Love him or hate him, the guy can wrestle.
Reason No. 2: A Heavyweight Hole
This also ties into a reason Ferrari to Penn State wouldn’t be a good idea, and we’ll discuss that later. But with five-time All-American and 2024 national champion Greg Kerkvliet out of eligibility, Penn State will have a new heavyweight in 2025-26. Although Ferrari has been at 197 for his entire college career, considering Penn State has the reigning national runner-up, Josh Barr, set to come back at 197, the team is pretty set at that position. At heavyweight, things are less certain. Cole Mirasola is a former top 15 recruit but hasn’t had a chance to prove much at the college level. So it wouldn’t hurt to have options at heavyweight, and if Ferrari could make the adjustment, it could be a big win for Penn State.
Reason No. 3: He’s entertaining
This one is a selfish reason. Reporters like it when guys are quotable. Ferrari is all of that and then some.
It’s my article, I can do what I want with it.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.WHY IT’D BE A BAD IDEA
Reason No. 1: Where to begin?
Ferrari has been charged with sexual battery (a charge that was eventually dropped). He’s flipped off fans.
He’s engaged in social media beef with Carter Starocci, a now-former Penn State wrestling star who is still going to be around the team due to his association with Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.
As mentioned above, Ferrari is also a loose cannon in interviews, so nobody knows what he will say or if what he says will create problems for whatever team he’s on.
Penn State is going to win the national title next year with or without Ferrari. Many would rather see it happen without him.
Reason No. 2: Where would he even fit?
Most places, Ferrari could just transfer in and instantly become the starting 197-pounder. Penn State isn’t most places. If Ferrari wanted to stay at 197, he’d have to beat out Barr, the defending national runner-up. If he wanted to move up to heavyweight, he’d have to gain, oh, 40+ pounds or so and then beat out Mirasola, who wouldn’t have to make such an adjustment. If Ferrari wanted to move down— the least likely of the three options, to be fair— he’d have to beat out Rocco Welsh, another former national runner-up.
There’s no easy path for Ferrari in PSU’s lineup, which gives legs to the theory that Ferrari to Penn State wouldn’t be the best thing for the individual in addition to the team.
Reason No. 3: Penn State doesn’t need him
In Season 2 of “Ted Lasso,” AFC Richmond’s manager and title character was wondering whether or not he should bring back Jamie Tartt to the club. Tartt, like Ferrari, was incredibly talented but also had baggage. Initially, Lasso didn’t want to do it, but when the team’s psychiatrist pointed out that Richmond hadn’t won a game in six tries, Lasso was convinced that, well, the team needed a player like Tartt to win.
Penn State has the best wrestling program in the world. So, no, it doesn’t have that problem. Adding Ferrari to the mix might make it even better. But it just isn’t necessary.
