Clelin Ferrell Bio
Clelin Ferrell is an American professional football defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers, where he developed into one of the nation’s top pass rushers, and was selected fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2019 NFL draft. Ferrell has also spent time with the Washington Commanders and the Los Angeles Chargers during his professional career.
Standing 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) and listed at 265 lb (120 kg), Ferrell brings size, length, and steady technique to the defensive edge. He is widely recognized for his college accolades, including the 2018 Ted Hendricks Award and a pair of College Football Playoff national championships.
Early Life and Background
Clelin Ferrell was born on May 17, 1997, in Richmond, Virginia. He grew up in a large family with deep ties to military service, as both of his parents served in the U.S. military. Ferrell has four brothers and four sisters, all at least ten years older than him, which helped shape his sense of responsibility and discipline from a young age.
His father, Cleavester, passed away from cancer in March 2012, an event that left a lasting mark on Ferrell during his teenage years. Despite the loss, he remained focused on his athletic development and continued training for the next level of football.
Ferrell attended Benedictine College Preparatory, a private military academy in Richmond, where he refined his game as a defensive lineman. He committed to play college football at Clemson nearly three months before suffering a torn ACL, an injury that forced him to miss his entire senior season of high school football.
Path to American Football
Ferrell arrived at Clemson in 2015, where the program was already rising as a national power under head coach Dabo Swinney. His first season was disrupted by a hand injury, which required him to redshirt and focus on strength and conditioning while learning the Tigers’ defensive scheme.
Returning to action in 2016, Ferrell broke out as a disruptive edge rusher. He was named co-defensive rookie of the year alongside teammate Dexter Lawrence after recording 50 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. That performance helped Clemson capture the 2016 College Football Playoff national championship.
His development continued through 2017 and 2018, when he became a cornerstone of the Tigers’ defense. Ferrell earned first-team All-American honors in both seasons and was recognized as a first-team All-ACC selection in each year. By the end of his junior season, he had cemented himself as a top prospect for the 2019 NFL draft.
Clelin Ferrell Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Ferrell’s college career began at Clemson, where he spent four seasons developing into a complete defensive end. After redshirting in 2015, he steadily increased his production, finishing his Clemson tenure with 53 tackles, 11.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and three forced fumbles as a junior in 2018.
Across his three seasons on the field, Ferrell helped lead the Tigers to two College Football Playoff national titles in 2016 and 2018. He anchored the defensive line alongside future NFL players, learning to face constant double-teams while maintaining his pass-rushing productivity.
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders Era (2019–2022)
Clelin Ferrell was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, a choice that drew significant public criticism. Many analysts viewed him as a late first-round or early second-round prospect, and several defensive linemen such as Josh Allen and Ed Oliver were still on the board. On June 18, 2019, Ferrell signed a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $31.2 million, including a $20.8 million signing bonus.
Ferrell made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2019 season against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, recording three tackles and his first career sack on quarterback Joe Flacco in a 24–16 win. He later produced one of his strongest games in Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers, posting eight tackles and 2.5 sacks on Philip Rivers in a 26–24 victory.
The 2020 season was more challenging, as Ferrell was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in November and later landed on injured reserve in December. He finished the year with 27 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles in 11 games. In 2022, the Raiders declined Ferrell’s fifth-year option, making him a free agent after the season, and he recorded his final sack for the team in a Week 18 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
San Francisco 49ers First Stint (2023)
On March 16, 2023, Ferrell signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, joining one of the NFL’s top defensive units. He quickly became a regular contributor on the edge and started all 17 regular season games for the team.
Ferrell recorded his first forced fumble as a 49er in a Week 8 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, along with his first half sack of the season. He added his first full sack the following week in a 34–3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars and added another sack in a Week 14 win against the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the 2023 season with 3.5 sacks, 28 total tackles (15 solo), one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Washington Commanders Era (2024–2025)
On March 18, 2024, Ferrell signed with the Washington Commanders as a free agent. He appeared in 14 games with 10 starts and produced 3.5 sacks, 26 combined tackles, and one forced fumble during the 2024 campaign.
Ferrell re-signed with Washington on a one-year contract on March 15, 2025, but was released on August 26 as part of the team’s final roster cuts. He became a free agent once again and remained available until the regular season began.
Los Angeles Chargers and Return to San Francisco (2025)
On September 18, 2025, Ferrell signed with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on October 4 and appeared in the Chargers’ October 5 game against the Washington Commanders before returning to the practice squad the next day. The Chargers released him on October 14.
On October 29, 2025, Ferrell signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad and was promoted to the active roster on November 15. He rejoined a defensive line he already knew well, providing experienced depth at defensive end.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ferrell is known for his length, strong hands, and disciplined technique at the point of attack. He wins with leverage and a steady motor rather than elite burst, which makes him effective against the run and on early-down pass-rushing situations. His experience in multiple defensive schemes, including those of the Raiders, 49ers, and Commanders, has helped him refine his pre-snap reads and hand usage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ferrell’s selection as the fourth overall pick in 2019 was one of the most debated draft choices of his class. He recorded a memorable 2.5-sack game against the Chargers in 2019 and later posted a strip-sack performance against the New York Jets in 2020. His two College Football Playoff national championships with Clemson stand as the signature team accomplishments of his career to date.
Clelin Ferrell Career Wins
Clelin Ferrell’s career is highlighted by team championships at the college level and steady individual production at the professional level. While he has not yet recorded a Super Bowl title, his résumé includes two College Football Playoff national championships and individual recognition as one of the top defensive ends of his draft class.
NFL Highlights
In the NFL, Ferrell has recorded 21 career sacks, 184 tackles, 12 pass deflections, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries through the 2025 season. His first career sack came against Joe Flacco in Week 1 of 2019, and his most recent sustained contributions have come as a rotational edge rusher for the San Francisco 49ers.
College Achievements
Ferrell was a key piece of two College Football Playoff national championship teams at Clemson in 2016 and 2018. He earned first-team All-American honors in 2017 and 2018, was named first-team All-ACC in both seasons, and won the 2018 Ted Hendricks Award as the nation’s top defensive end. He also captured 2018 ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the conference in sacks and tackles for loss.
Clelin Ferrell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Clelin Ferrell comes from a large, close-knit family rooted in military service. Both of his parents served in the U.S. military, instilling discipline and structure in the household. He has four older brothers and four older sisters, each at least ten years his senior, and his late father, Cleavester, passed away from cancer in March 2012.
Personal Life
Ferrell has generally kept his personal life private and focused much of his public presence on football and family. His upbringing in a tight-knit, service-oriented household continues to shape his approach to the game and his role as a veteran leader in the locker room.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a transitional year for Clelin Ferrell as he has moved between multiple rosters. He began the year as a free agent after being released by Washington in late August and joined the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad in mid-September. Ferrell saw brief game action with the Chargers in October before being released.
Shortly after his release, Ferrell returned to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad on October 29 before being promoted to the active roster on November 15. Rejoining a familiar defensive system has allowed him to contribute as a rotational defensive end during the second half of the season.
Looking ahead, Ferrell’s role with the 49ers in 2025 centers on providing experienced depth along the defensive line and offering steady play on early downs and in pass-rush packages. His versatility and prior success in San Francisco position him as a reliable rotational option as the team pushes toward the postseason.
