Luke Ferrelli flips transfer commitment from Clemson to Ole Miss
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CLEMSON — Clemson football linebacker Luke Ferrelli transferred to Ole Miss on Jan. 22.
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.
However, he removed any mention of Clemson in his social media bios and reentered the portal on Jan. 16, the final day for players to enter the portal unless they are playing in the national championship. Six days later, Ferrelli committed to Ole Miss, confirming his decision on social media.
Ferrelli recorded 91 tackles, including five for loss and one sack, an interception and one pass breakup in 13 games this season for Cal. He led all freshmen in tackles (87) and finished second among all ACC freshmen in tackles for loss (five) to win ACC defensive rookie of the year. He has three years of eligibility remaining.
Clemson‘s transfer portal class dropped from 11 players to 10 with eight on defense and two on offense.
Ferrelli, a San Diego native, spent two seasons with the Golden Bears. He was a three-start recruit and rated as the No. 108 player in California, per the 247Sports Composite.
How losing Luke Ferrelli impacts Clemson football depth chart
Ferrelli was in line to compete with Jeremiah Alexander, who transferred to Clemson in 2025, and Kobe McCloud for the starting linebacker position opposite of Sammy Brown in 2026.
Clemson lost starting linebacker Wade Woodaz to expiring eligibility and Dee Crayton and Jamal Anderson to the portal.
With Ferrelli gone, Clemson will need either Alexander and McCloud to be an impactful starter. The Tigers will also need both to remain healthy as there is unproven depth behind them with C.J. Kubah-Taylor, Drew Woodaz, Logan Anderson and freshman signee Brayden Reilly.
Clemson can also pursue another linebacker in the portal to fill Ferrelli’s void. That transfer won’t be a high-end player but can be someone who can provide depth.
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: Clemson loses linebacker Luke Ferrelli in transfer portal to Ole Miss
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