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Is top Clemson football portal signee LB Luke Ferrelli leaving Dabo Swinney for Ole Miss?
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- Is top Clemson football portal signee LB Luke Ferrelli leaving Dabo Swinney for Ole Miss?
CLEMSON — Clemson football 's transfer portal class may drop from 10 players to nine because linebacker Luke Ferrelli is weighing a flip to Ole Miss , according to multiple reports.
Ferrelli, who transferred from Cal, committed to Clemson after visiting on Jan. 6, then confirmed his decision on social media.
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But he removed any mention of Clemson in his social media bios on Jan. 16, suggesting he may transfer again.
Here's what we know about Ferrelli's situation.
Did Luke Ferrelli re-enter the transfer portal?
Ferrelli reportedly re-entered the portal on Jan 16, the final day for players to enter the portal unless they are playing in the national championship, with Ole Miss as a likely destination.
The Tigers announced his signing on social media on Jan. 7. Ferrelli was listed on Clemson football 's 2026 roster on its website and in the school's directory.
However, he removed any mention of Clemson in his social media bios on Jan. 16, but did not remove any commitment posts.
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Who is Luke Ferrelli?
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.
MORE: Why Dabo Swinney's transfer portal momentum for Clemson has dwindled
Ferrelli, a San Diego native, spent two seasons with the Golden Bears. He was a three-star recruit out of high school and rated as the No. 108 player in California , per the 247Sports Composite.
247Sports rated him as the No. 61 linebacker in the portal and the No. 961 player nationally.
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Why is Ole Miss pursuing Luke Ferrelli?
Ole Miss is coming off a College Football Playoff semifinals appearance. The Rebels lost star linebacker TJ Dottery , who played for Clemson in 2022 and went by TJ Dudley, to LSU , and linebacker Jaden Yates in the transfer portal.
Dottery led the SEC with 98 total tackles, and Yates logged 55 tackles.
As a result, Ole Miss needed to shore up its linebacker corps.
How losing Luke Ferrelli will impact Clemson football depth chart
Ferrelli was in line to compete with Jeremiah Alexander, who transferred to Clemson last season, and Kobe McCloud for the starting linebacker position opposite of Sammy Brown next season.
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Clemson lost starting linebacker Wade Woodaz to expiring eligibility and Dee Crayton and Jamal Anderson to the portal.
With Ferrelli gone, Clemson would 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.
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: Luke Ferrelli to Ole Miss after signing with Clemson in portal?
