Former Cal LB back in NCAA transfer portal after signing with Clemson, expected to join Ole Miss
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Luke Ferrelli is back in the transfer portal, according to reports.
Ferrelli entered the transfer portal after a standout season at Cal. He signed with Clemson, even showing up on the Tiger football roster and in the university directory. Days later, however, he’s back in the portal and expected to sign with Ole Miss.
Players had until the end of Friday to submit their paperwork for entry into the transfer portal. Schools had two business days to process that request. Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday) did not count as business days.
Cal transfer LB Luke Ferrelli has officially re-entered the transfer portal, ESPN has learned.
— Max Olson (@max_olson) January 22, 2026
The ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year signed with Clemson on Jan. 7 and enrolled but is now expected to transfer to Ole Miss. pic.twitter.com/dRw96Xlu1k
Ferrelli spent 2 seasons at Cal. He did not play in 2024, taking a redshirt. He was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year as a redshirt freshman in 2025, recording 87 tackles with 5 TFLs and 1 sack. Ferrelli added 1 interception, 1 pass breakup and 1 QB hurry.
Ole Miss is being accused of tampering to land Ferrelli. Per Jon Blau of The Post and Courier, Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding allegedly contacted Ferrelli after he had signed with Clemson on Jan. 7. Per Blau, Clemson has yet to indicate if it will take action against the Rebels.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
