With the NCAA wrestling world always buzzing about big-name transfers, one name that refuses to stay out of the spotlight is AJ Ferrari. The former NCAA champion is set to be one of the most sought-after wrestlers in the transfer portal, and speculation is already running wild about where he might land next.

Enter Christian Pyles, a well-known wrestling analyst, who threw a major hint into the mix. Responding to a fan’s question about Ferrari’s potential destination, Pyles didn’t confirm anything outright but acknowledged that Iowa could be a perfect landing spot—especially given the team’s current needs at 197 pounds.

“I have no idea. I’m excited to watch AJ tomorrow! If he gets through this season without issue, I can imagine he will have lots of suitors. With Buchanan graduating, Iowa could use a 197,” Pyles said.

That last part has fans talking. Could Ferrari actually take his talents to Iowa and step into a weight class that’s soon to have a vacancy? For a wrestler of Ferrari’s caliber, any program in the country would want to land him, but Iowa presents a particularly intriguing case.

If there’s one thing about Iowa wrestling—it breeds champions. Under head coach Tom Brands, the Hawkeyes have built a legacy of relentless aggression, pressure-heavy offense, and pure dominance. Their system has produced a staggering 24 NCAA team titles, with 85 individual NCAA champions—the second-most in history.

Iowa has thrived on developing elite upper-weight wrestlers, with names like Jacob Warner, Abe Assad, and recently, 197-pound NCAA finalist Stephen Buchanan carving out a name in black and gold. With Buchanan set to graduate, there’s a massive opening at 197 pounds—a perfect fit for Ferrari to walk in and make an immediate impact.

Ferrari’s collegiate stats speak for themselves. At Oklahoma State, he won an NCAA title as a true freshman, posting a 20-1 record before an injury sidelined him in 2022. Even after time away from competition, his skill set remains elite—quick, explosive, and incredibly strong for his weight class. If Iowa lands him, they wouldn’t just be adding a top-tier wrestler—they’d be adding a potential national champion who already knows what it takes to win on the big stage.

Indeed, however, Iowa is not the sole institution that has a chance to land Ferrari. If he doesn’t end up in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, then there are still a number of elite programs in contention.

Could be destinations for AJ Ferrari

Penn State is always a contender in the game of recruiting. Under Cael Sanderson, 11-time champions Penn State has grown into a powerhouse for upper-weight talent, with Aaron Brooks, Carter Starocci, and Max Dean being a few recent standouts. Ferrari would thrive in their technically sound, high-efficiency system.

One team to watch out for is Michigan. Michigan has developed talent in the upper weights, and its program has recently recovered with NCAA championship success. Ferrari’s attacking style would be a good fit for its system, which promotes speed, dynamic motion, and high-scoring fights.

And then, of course, there is the financial side. With Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals being more prevalent in college athletics, Ferrari’s choice will likely be dictated by who can give him the most lucrative long-term deal. Programs with established NIL collectives can seriously contend for his talent.

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