EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern wrestling bolstered its 2025-26 roster with the addition of graduate transfer J.D. Perez, head coach Matt Storniolo announced Tuesday. Perez joins the Wildcats after a decorated NAIA career that culminated in a national championship and Men's Wrestler of the Year honors in 2025.

Perez competed most recently at Life University, where he wrestled to a perfect 29-0 record in 2024-25 en route to the NAIA National Championship at 184 pounds. Along the way, he also claimed tournament titles at the Georgia Open, the Lucha Open and Battle in the Bluegrass. Following his standout season, Perez was named the NAIA Men's Wrestler of the Year by The Open Mat.

Prior to his time at Life, Perez spent four years at Ottawa University, where he became the program's first-ever three-time All-American. After finishing in fifth at the NAIA National Championships in 2022 and sixth in 2023, Perez wrestled to a KCAC Championship and a third-place finish nationally in 2024. He departed Ottawa as the winningest wrestler in program history with 108 victories, including a program-record 60 career pins.

Perez joins Gabe Christenson and Sean Spidle in Storniolo's incoming transfer class for the upcoming season.