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Ole Miss tampered to land transfer linebacker Luke Ferrelli this offseason. At least, that’s Dabo Swinney’s account of what transpired.
The Clemson head football coach blasted the Rebels while challenging the NCAA to act. He named names in his attempt to take down the guilty parties.
Let’s backtrack a bit.
Ferrelli is a former Cal linebacker that was recently named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. After a redshirt season with the Bears, he racked up 91 tackles, a sack, and an interception.
He hit the transfer portal this offseason. He quickly signed with league counterpart Clemson.
Ferrelli signed his paperwork, enrolled in school, attended classes, and began participating in football activities. Late in the transfer portal window, he was allegedly contacted by Ole Miss.
Dabo Swinney detailed the tampering.
Dabo: Transfer LB Luke Ferrelli told GM Jordan Sorrells and his Clemson position coach, Ben Boulware, that Golding texted him “I know you’re signed. What’s the buyout.” Also says Golding texted Ferrelli a picture of a $1 million rev sharing contract https://t.co/eYbVmMQCs3
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) January 23, 2026
The coach says Ferrelli agreed to his NIL terms. Ole Miss made an offer after the fact. It eventually culminated in a 2-year deal worth $1 million per season.
Ferrelli is said to have ghosted the Clemson coaching staff when negotiating with Ole Miss. The linebacker, through his agent, then went to the Tigers for their counteroffer.
Swinney refused to up his price.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says transfer LB Luke Ferrelli’s agent told Clemson they’d turn over text messages for Clemson to use against Ole Miss — IF Clemson added a second year for $1 million to Ferrelli’s already agreed upon contract. Clemson GM Jordan Sorrells declined
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) January 23, 2026
Clemson will now “pursue all options to turn (Ole Miss) in for tampering,” according to its head coach. “There’s tampering and then there’s blatant tampering… It’s texting kids when they’re in class… It’s hypocrisy.”
Swinney noted Ole Miss’s complaints about Lane Kiffin’s rumored tampering at LSU. He shamed the Rebels for supposedly doing the same.
The Tigers want accountability to be taken, and punishment handed down in what’s become a lawless sport. While he typically “stays in his lane,” Swinney had no issue turning Ole Miss over in this particular case.
Swinney called out Pete Golding and GM Austin Thomas by name in his press conference. He challenged other coaches to do the same in obvious tampering scenarios.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney: “What we’re dealing with right now is flat-out extortion.” Says people are “just lying” about what certain schools are offering them, and there’s “no transparency” in college football. Dabo: “No other league operates this way”
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) January 23, 2026
Dabo Swinney also offered up a solution, though it’s one he’s admittedly been hesitant to move forward with. That involves making student-athletes employees.
He also suggested a change be made to the transfer portal calendar.
As far as a potential buyout goes, that isn’t Clemson’s focus at the moment. While it will explore “further legal action,” the university is locked into the NCAA violation aspect for the time being.