iStockphoto / © Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Luke Ferrelli will not play for the Clemson Tigers in the 2026 college football season. You might not know that when peeking at the team’s official online roster.
The school has not removed the transfer linebacker from the website. Instead, the Tigers have chosen to highlight the recent portal absurdity.
Ferrelli’s situation is one becoming growingly familiar the new era of NIL and player payments. Despite signing contracts, players are bailing on commitments to leave schools for more lucrative offers.
Tampering is an issue. Punishment for crimes is non-existent. There is no accountability.
Ferrelli left Cal after a productive freshman season. He made a pledge to Clemson in January. It came with an NIL agreement.
It didn’t stop others from continuing to recruit.
Luke Ferrelli enrolled at Clemson.
He was taking classes and participating in team activities. He was, for all intents and purposes, a Tiger.
The transfer portal window, however, was not closed. Ole Miss allegedly began texting him about a higher paying opportunity. He accepted.
Dabo Swinney went scorched earth on the Rebels in an eight-minute recollection of what transpired behind the scenes. He named names in his accusation of illegal tampering.
He detailed Pete Golding directly texting Ferrelli and his agent with $1 million offers. Despite being contacted with the threat of NCAA intervention, Golding continued to “(do) what he wants.”
Golding allegedly knew of a potential buyout. It didn’t stop him from offering a rumored two-year deal worth $2 million. Throughout the backdoor negotiations, Ferrelli remained at Clemson though he is said to have ghosted the coaching staff.
That commitment wouldn’t last much longer. The linebacker flipped to Ole Miss a few days later. He quickly dropped his Clemson classes to enroll in Oxford.
The final straw in the flip was a supposed bribe attempt from Ferrelli’s agent. He demanded an extra $1 million be added to the Tigers’ offer in exchange for information incriminating the Rebels in the tampering plot.
Clemson rejected.
Ferrelli remains on the roster, despite not being on the team.
When searching for Luke Ferrelli’s Clemson bio, you’re directed to this page on the athletics website.
ClemsonTigers.com
Ferrelli’s photo is still on the site. His bio leads to a link of Dabo Swinney’s eight-minute rant about his treacherous departure.
Dabo Swinney went on a massive rant against Ole Miss, Pete Golding, Rebels GM Austin Thomas for blatant tampering with Luke Ferrelli
Dabo just put Ole Miss on blast, saying Pete Golding offered him a $1 million contract while in class at Clemson.
“Like having an affair on your… pic.twitter.com/ivmndCCSDg
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) January 23, 2026
Clemson refuses to let Luke Ferrelli go quietly. The school is making it a point to emphasize the issues with the current transfer portal setup.
The Tigers will pursue every avenue available in holding the Rebels accountable.