Who is Luke Ferrelli? Ole Miss transfer Dabo Swinney says Pete Golding tampered with
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Ole Miss football transfer linebacker Luke Ferrelli is at the center of a tampering accusation.
Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney accused the Rebels and coach Pete Golding on Jan. 23 of tampering with Ferrelli. The former Cal linebacker transferred to Clemson after the 2025 season but then flipped to Ole Miss.
Here’s what to know about Ferrelli.
What to know about Luke Ferrelli, tampering accusation
Swinney gave a detailed timeline of tampering allegations against Ole Miss in a news conference.
According to Swinney, Golding texted Ferrelli during an 8 a.m. class on Jan. 15, “I know you’re signed. What’s the buyout?” and a picture of a $1 million contract.
Ferrelli signed his financial aid agreement on Jan. 7 and moved to Clemson on Jan. 11, according to Swinney.
Tampering is not allowed and can result in punishments up to Level I, the highest threshold from the NCAA.
Ferrelli has not spoken publicly since Swinney’s news conference.
Jaxson Dart, Trinidad Chambliss contacted Luke Ferrelli, Dabo Swinney said
According to Swinney, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and former Rebels QB Jaxson Dart contacted Ferrelli before he re-entered the transfer portal.
“Luke also mentioned to (Clemson general manager Jordan Sorrells) and to (Clemson linebackers coach Ben Bouleware) that Coach Golding had Trinidad Chambliss call him from his phone and Coach Golding was there continuing to talk on his phone to push him to re-enter the transfer portal,” Swinney said. “He also said that Jaxson Dart had reached out and called him.”
Dart currently plays for the New York Giants.
Luke Ferrelli stats
Ferrelli was the ACC defensive rookie of the year for 2025 as a redshirt freshman. He logged 91 tackles, including five for loss and one sack, an interception and one pass breakup in 13 games in 2025 for Cal. He led all freshmen in tackles (87) and finished second among all ACC freshmen in tackles for loss (five).
Ferrelli did not appear in any games in 2024.
He is 6-foot-3, 230 pounds.
Luke Ferrelli 247 recruiting, transfer ranking
Ferrelli is ranked as the No. 1,022 player in the transfer portal by 247Sports and No. 64 linebacker.
He was a three-star as a freshman, ranked No. 1,487 nationally, No. 108 in California and the No. 133 linebacker.
Luke Ferrelli hometown
Ferrelli is from San Diego and attended Carlsbad High School.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Luke Ferrelli, Clemson tampering allegations vs Ole Miss what to know
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