Clemson's Dabo Swinney details how Ole Miss, Pete Golding tampered with Luke Ferrelli
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CLEMSON — Dabo Swinney called out Ole Miss and Rebels coach Pete Golding for what the Clemson football coach said was tampering with transfer linebacker Luke Ferrelli.
Swinney said he turned in the information over to the NCAA.
“If you tamper with my players, I’m going to turn you in,” Swinney said Jan. 23 during a news conference.
Ferrelli, who transferred from Cal, committed to Clemson after visiting on Jan. 6, then confirmed his decision on social media. The Tigers announced his addition on social media on Jan. 7, and Ferrelli was listed on Clemson‘s 2026 roster on its website and in the school’s directory. He did not officially sign a revenue-sharing deal with Clemson.
However, he removed any mention of Clemson in his social media bios, re-entered the portal on Jan. 16 and committed to Ole Miss on Jan. 22.
Swinney said Golding and Ole Miss general manager Austin Thomas were contacting Ferrelli despite him transferring to Clemson, being enrolled in classes and participating in team workouts.
“I know you’re signed. What’s the buyout?” Swinney said Golding texted to Ferrelli.
Dabo Swinney details Ole Miss tampering with Luke Ferrelli
Swinney presented a timeline of events of Ferrelli visiting and transferring to Clemson then when he said the Ole Miss tampering began:
- Jan. 4: Clemson general manager Jordan Sorrells had his first conversation with Ferrelli’s agent, Ryan Williams
- Jan. 5: Ferrelli and his father visited Swinney’s home, where they described visiting Ole Miss as a “mess” and “disorganized.”
- Jan. 6: Ferrelli visits Clemson’s campus and facilities and transfers to the Tigers. This prompted Clemson to cancel following transfer linebacker visits as the Tigers planned to take only one in the portal.
- Jan. 7: Ferrelli signed his financial aid agreement.
- Jan. 11: Ferrelli moves to Clemson.
Three days later, Ole Miss began to reach out to Ferrelli, according to Swinney.
Who is Luke Ferrelli?
Ferrelli is the ACC defensive rookie of the year for 2025. 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).
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dabo Swinney details Ole Miss tampering with transfer Luke Ferrelli
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