Penn State wrestling star challenges ex-NCAA Champion to dual at NWCA All-Star Classic

Carter Starocci will look to be the first wrestler in history to win five individual national titles when the 2024-25 Penn State wrestling season kicks off in a few months. Recently, though, the outspoken Nittany Lion wrestler set his sights on one of the premier wrestling showcases of the year, stirring up some controversy by boldly challenging former NCAA Champion AJ Ferrari to a match at the NWCA All-Star Classic this fall.

A long road back to the mat for AJ Ferrari

© Michelle Gutierrez/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK

AJ Ferrari broke onto the scene as a freshman in 2020-21, finishing with a 20-1 record and winning a National Championship at 197 pounds for Oklahoma State. After starting 10-0 in 2021-22, Ferrari suffered a season-ending injury from a car crash.

He was then dismissed from the Cowboys squad after being involved in a sexual battery case during the summer of 2022. Although the case was dismissed after 14 months, the stain on Ferrari’s reputation was already established.

Ferrari returned to the mat for the 2023 Soldier Salute, beating Iowa’s 197-pounder Zach Glazier to win the event. However, an ensuing scuffle at the end of the match ultimately disqualified Ferrari.

Originally expecting to wrestle for Iowa, AJ Ferrari left and reopened his recruitment in the transfer portal. After taking a medical redshirt in 2022, redshirt in 2023, and not being on a roster in 2024, the former NCAA Champion will wrestle for Cal State Bakersfield this season.

Penn State wrestling star Carter Starocci challenges Ferrari to compete at NWCA All-Star Classic

Known for not being shy about his opinion, Carter Starocci took to social media once again this week to express his thoughts. In an Instagram post on Monday, the Penn State wrestling superstar made it clear that he wants a dual with AJ Ferrari.

“Been focused on training, recover, but here we are again…Another has been NCAA champ that needs added to my collection,” Starocci wrote. While the text of his post remains, the associated images have since been removed from his Instagram account.

Carter Starocci CALLS OUT AJ Ferrari. . 😳🗣️ pic.twitter.com/qiK1sIq6ta

— WrestlersGrind (@_wrestlersgrind) September 10, 2024

Starocci challenged Ferrari to participate in the 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic, which will once again be held in Rec Hall this November, while making sure to comment on Ferrari’s legal past in the process.

Raising the stakes, Starocci proposed adding a winner-take-all match purse,  with both wrestlers putting up some of their own money for the challenge.

If the match were to happen, the question would be at which weight class. Carter Starocci is projected to be an 184-pounder this season, while Ferrari looks to stay at his normal 197-pound weight.

The Penn State wrestling star proposes they meet somewhere in the middle to make it work.

“190 lbs. You start it, I’ll finish it. Agree to my terms, and I’ll smash your face in,” he wrote.

Carter Starocci has made it known over the past few years that he’s interested in entering the UFC once his wrestling career is over. If we have learned nothing else in the past few seasons, it’s that the four-time National Champion certainly can promote himself and his matches.

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