ADVERTISEMENT

AJ Ferrari

S

Sullivan

Well-Known Member
Nov 24, 2001
16,459
18,970
1
I apparently missed the news where AJ Ferrari will be wrestling for Blair this fall. Hopefully, he stays in the east for his college decision.

Jun 19

AJ Ferrari Retweeted
The Ferrari Brothers‏@FerrariBrothers

We are moving to New Jersey. AJ and Anthony will begin attending Blair Academy in the Fall. This was an extremely difficult decision for us that involved lots of prayer by us, close friends and family.
 
As much as I like Starocci, a lineup of Brooks-174, Beard-184, and Ferrari-197 looks even better.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tabenn
LemonPie said:
As much as I like Starocci, a lineup of Brooks-174, Beard-184, and Ferrari-197 looks even better.
Click to expand...
Would be an awesome lineup based upon their high school accomplishments. Question is can they all hold those weight classes for their college career? Can Beard make 184? Ferrari is wrestling 195 as a sophomore, he could grow into a 225 pound college heavy.
 
Lyons212 said:
Would be an awesome lineup based upon their high school accomplishments. Question is can they all hold those weight classes for their college career? Can Beard make 184? Ferrari is wrestling 195 as a sophomore, he could grow into a 225 pound college heavy.
Click to expand...

Definitely relevant questions. My guess is Brooks would also prefer to grow into an Olympic weight (86KG).

My gut says Ferrari will go elsewhere. Though I do think he will be 197.
 
LemonPie said:
Definitely relevant questions. My guess is Brooks would also prefer to grow into an Olympic weight (86KG).

My gut says Ferrari will go elsewhere. Though I do think he will be 197.
Click to expand...
I think he goes elsewhere too. One interesting thing about college wrestling/recruiting, there are elite recruits that you would love to have but sometimes there just isn't any room at the inn. I think this is one of those cases (no idea of AJ's interest) at least on the PSU side of the equation.

OTOH, a decision does not have to be made for 12 to 18 months, time for Cael to see how much Brooks and Beard grow, Ferrari for that matter too.
 
Lion-around said:
Isn't the lineup more likely Brooks - 184, Beard - 197 and S Nevills - HWT?
Click to expand...

Agreed. AJ is still on my 'must get' list as I think he is a podium guy out of the gate, but none of our 2018 class guys are going down a weight. Maybe AJ can do a year of OTC then a red shirt to help alleviate some of the overlap but the way I see it, AJ and Beard are definitely on top of each other. I don't think we should pass on AJ he is just going to be too good.

With the new transfer rules in place there is little downside to a recruit redshirting for a year in our room and if it looks like he won't start he can seek a transfer sporting a very strong resume. Granted we haven't seen either develope under Cael or wrestle even his first collegiate match but I think AJ will be the better of the two. I also like that AJ has a stud little brother that we can't ignore either.

This is another example where I wish there was a 225lb weight class. Despite Snyder's success I think he is a unique animal, and we won't see a rash of 230 lb heavyweights start coming in, Cassar might be the exception.

I would HATE to see AJ end up on the Buckeyes.
 
Somehow things keep working themselves out and AJ and Starocci joining Aaron and Beard isn't going to surprise me. All managing to somehow find the lineup should not be surprising either.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GogglesPaizano
nitlion6 said:
Somehow things keep working themselves out and AJ and Starocci joining Aaron and Beard isn't going to surprise me. All managing to somehow find the lineup should not be surprising either.
Click to expand...

I like your optimism. Starocci is also on my list and I too have a good feeling on that one.

Re: AJ - this caliber of kid is thinking about becoming the very best, a national champion, clearly as is Beard as well. For both, the Moto remains true "you can't be a national champion if you can't beat out a guy in your own room". No 'elite' recruit should be afraid of or avoid going to a school simply because there is already a stud at his weight class. Iron sharpens iron and a stud partner in the room will help you reach your maximum potential.
 
Last edited:
I was surprised to see Starocci wrestle 160 (+5) at Disney this week.

i thought he'd be an 82 this year and a college 74/84. Maybe he's a college 65/74?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brian LB-U
smalls103 said:
I was surprised to see Starocci wrestle 160 (+5) at Disney this week.

i thought he'd be an 82 this year and a college 74/84. Maybe he's a college 65/74?
Click to expand...
Welcome to the fun in guessing future wrestling weights, as you well know. So many factors, some within the kid's control, others not. Still the best way...look at Mom and Dad :), though even that doesn't hold true in every case.
 
RoarLions1 said:
Welcome to the fun in guessing future wrestling weights, as you well know. So many factors, some within the kid's control, others not. Still the best way...look at Mom and Dad :), though even that doesn't hold true in every case.
Click to expand...

HR should weigh in. They have a stellar record with weight predictions - like Teasdale a 149 freshman. :rolleyes:
 
RoarLions1 said:
Welcome to the fun in guessing future wrestling weights, as you well know. So many factors, some within the kid's control, others not. Still the best way...look at Mom and Dad :), though even that doesn't hold true in every case.
Click to expand...
Or in one case on the board, just listen to Dad. The LemonPie Brooks at 174 scenario is not happening. No knock on Lemon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nitlion6
GogglesPaizano said:
I like your optimism. Starocci is also on my list and I too have a good feeling on that one.

Re: AJ - this caliber of kid is thinking about becoming the very best, a national champion, clearly as is Beard as well. For both, the Moto remains true "you can't be a national champion if you can't beat out a guy in your own room". No 'elite' recruit should be afraid of or avoid going to a school simply because there is already a stud at his weight class. Iron sharpens iron and a stud partner in the room will help you reach your maximum potential.
Click to expand...
All true, however, there are only 9.9 scholarships to work with. At some point the financials for both the Program and the athlete have to make sense. Now if AJ is willing to go OTC and redshirt, PSU could be an option.
 
Lyons212 said:
Or in one case on the board, just listen to Dad. The LemonPie Brooks at 174 scenario is not happening. No knock on Lemon.
Click to expand...

No doubt. Just trying to think of ways to fit in Ferrari. It isn't easy. Probably just a straight-up battle with Beard if he wants to go to PSU. FWIW, someone posted an interview with Brooks a couple months back and he said he was around 185. Nothing about his frame would suggest a big growth spurt, but I thought the same thing about Cenzo and he just got thicker and thicker. I think the plan for Brooks is 184.
 
smalls103 said:
I was surprised to see Starocci wrestle 160 (+5) at Disney this week.

i thought he'd be an 82 this year and a college 74/84. Maybe he's a college 65/74?
Click to expand...

Forgot this was going on. Looks like they had to forfeit his weight a bunch. Hope he didn't get hurt.
 
Lyons212 said:
All true, however, there are only 9.9 scholarships to work with. At some point the financials for both the Program and the athlete have to make sense. Now if AJ is willing to go OTC and redshirt, PSU could be an option.
Click to expand...

Yes 9.9 should prove the great equalizer. That said even tOSU seems to be out recruiting PSU in terms of volume. 13 in their latest class and a good number last year too. I don't think they will be able to keep them all.
 
Last edited:
GogglesPaizano said:
Yes 9.9 should prove the great equalizer. That said even tOSU seems to be out recruiting PSU in terms of volume. 13 in their latest class and a good number last year too. I don't think they will be able to keep them all.
Click to expand...
Even considering #positiveinfinity, those numbers can't be sustained. Looks like tOSU is losing about 10 out of their room from 2017-18, and they started a couple short of what PSU had in their room. The large class is no surprise.

Which gets us talking quality vs quantity. tOSU has both, though I like our quality.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GogglesPaizano
smalls103 said:
I was surprised to see Starocci wrestle 160 (+5) at Disney this week.

i thought he'd be an 82 this year and a college 74/84. Maybe he's a college 65/74?
Click to expand...

Willie, where do you project Assad at the college level? Between him and Starocci, I'd say Assad has a much better frame to wrestle 184. To me CS looks like a natural 174#er at this point. At least he did at Akron (IMHO).
 
Lyons212 said:
Portland, PA - 14 minute commute per Google Maps.
Click to expand...
Portland is 5 minutes from where I was raised. I played Little league and Babe Ruth for Portland. Kids from town would go to Bangor High School.
For those of you not aware of Blair Academy , I do work for the school and get on campus a couple times a year.
It is a beautiful setting with money always being spent on improvements.
Just built a new Gym/Field House.
Day students pay 42,000 a year.
Resident students pay 62,000 a year.
 
LemonPie said:
Speaking of 197 recruits, Beard beat Benjamin Goldin 3-1 while wrestling up at 220. Goldin is a Penn recruit and was ranked 8th at 220. 1st at Beast and 2nd at Ironman.
Click to expand...
Learned about Goldin at the Clash 2 years ago. Has only been wrestling a few years. His first year he won about 10 matches, then his next year he was in and out of the national rankings.
 
How does a national level wrestler move into Northampton County and Beca not get him?
 
  • Like
Reactions: nitlion6
Brian LB-U said:
Willie, where do you project Assad at the college level? Between him and Starocci, I'd say Assad has a much better frame to wrestle 184. To me CS looks like a natural 174#er at this point. At least he did at Akron (IMHO).
Click to expand...

i like to think i'm pretty good at projecting college weights. however, 'pretty good' still leaves a great deal of uncertainty, and ultimately, error. lol. that's a long way of saying 'i do my best.'

I would agree w/ you. Assad looks like an 84 to me. and while at one time (a year ago) I thought Starocci was destined for 84/97, seeing him in Akron - it doesn't look like he grew much height wise. thicker than i remember him, but not much taller. i'd say 174 for him and some college coaches say he's a 65 if he were to go right now.

as for Assad, i'd be surprised if PSU were interested in him. he's not really their style imo.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brian LB-U and Sullivan
smalls103 said:
i like to think i'm pretty good at projecting college weights. however, 'pretty good' still leaves a great deal of uncertainty, and ultimately, error. lol. that's a long way of saying 'i do my best.'

I would agree w/ you. Assad looks like an 84 to me. and while at one time (a year ago) I thought Starocci was destined for 84/97, seeing him in Akron - it doesn't look like he grew much height wise. thicker than i remember him, but not much taller. i'd say 174 for him and some college coaches say he's a 65 if he were to go right now.

as for Assad, i'd be sgurprised if PSU were interested in him. he's not really their style imo.
Click to expand...


That and the fact we already have a "solid" kid named Brooks coming in. :D
 
Watched both Starocci and Beard this weekend...

Starocci looks like a 174. Super thick, very big back. There is no way Beard is making 184. Short, but man is that kid built like a oak tree.

Goldin actually won 1 match his 8th grade year. State Placer as a Freshman, 3x State Champ and finished in the top ten his senior year with his only losses to Braxton Amos (at Ironman and Powerade).

That MAWA team took one loss the entire tournament this week at Disney Duals. Powerade Champ Nic Bouzakis beat Jaret Lane. They also had Ryan Miller, Busiello and Kinner on that team. I was most impressed with JoJo Aragona.

Beard seems a bit one-dimensional at this point in his career. Very reliant on that lefty-head inside single. I'm sure Cael will have him coached up by the time his greyshirt comes off though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LemonPie
For what it's worth, Okie State guys see this as a writing-on-the-wall that Cael is getting Ferrari. The entire family moved to the northeast, which is pretty shocking considering Allen travels plenty and Blair is boarding school. I know they are really tight-knit, so a move back to the west doesn't seem likely.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Maddog
vhsalum said:
For what it's worth, Okie State guys see this as a writing-on-the-wall that Cael is getting Ferrari. The entire family moved to the northeast, which is pretty shocking considering Allen travels plenty and Blair is boarding school. I know they are really tight-knit, so a move back to the west doesn't seem likely.
Click to expand...
They don't see the writing on the wall for Rutgers?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ski, Maddog, vhsalum and 2 others
vhsalum said:
For what it's worth, Okie State guys see this as a writing-on-the-wall that Cael is getting Ferrari. The entire family moved to the northeast, which is pretty shocking considering Allen travels plenty and Blair is boarding school. I know they are really tight-knit, so a move back to the west doesn't seem likely.
Click to expand...

I haven't thought about that angle but having the family close to the home turf for college matches is definitely one of many considerations. I guess that would still keep tOSU in the picture as well.

I wonder about his weight at little. He is still pretty long for a 197 HS Junior. If he wanted to, I think he could take the path of a light 230ish heavyweight, but I wouldn't recommend it. If we did get him, and he were to go the OTC then redshirt the following year route, who knows where he might be 3 years from now. No matter he still would have either Beard or Nevills to contend with for a couple of years.
 
Last edited:
GogglesPaizano said:
I haven't thought about that angle but having the family close to the home turf for college matches is definitely one of many considerations. I guess that would still keep tOSU in the picture as well.

I wonder about his weight at little. He is still pretty long for a 197 HS Junior. If he wanted to, I think he could take the path of a light 230-250 heavyweight, but I wouldn't recommend it. If we did get him, and he were to go the OTC then redshirt the following year route, who knows where he might be 3 years from now. No matter he still would have either Beard or Nevills to contend with for a couple of years.
Click to expand...
Ohio State has a comparable lineup issue with Hoffman at 197.

Purely from a lineup standpoint and not knowing Ferrari's interests: Cornell makes a lot more sense than Ohio State. He would spend his don't call it a redshirt year at FLWC during Darmstadt's senior year. Plus it's a lot closer to the Poconos than Columbus is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GogglesPaizano and vhsalum
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

GogglesPaizano

Time to give Iowa credit where credit is due?

Replies
78
Views
8K
The Wrestling Room
EPC FAN
EPC FAN
2lion70

Text messages being sent to blacks (especially kids)

Replies
4
Views
1K
Current Events Board
2lion70
2lion70
J

Individuals thus far

Replies
37
Views
6K
The Wrestling Room
Lyco1990
Lyco1990
M

VaTech v. Rutgers 11/17/23

Replies
19
Views
3K
The Wrestling Room
matter7172
M
J

A Christmas reflection

Replies
15
Views
1K
Current Events Board
ChiTownLion
ChiTownLion
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back