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, winning the 2018 Ted Hendricks Award, and was selected fourth overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2019 NFL draft. Ferrell has also played for the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders.
Ferrell was born on May 17, 1997, in Richmond, Virginia. Clelin attended Benedictine College Preparatory, a private military academy in Richmond. Clelin committed to play college football at Clemson nearly three months before he tore his ACL, which caused him to miss his senior football season.
Both of Ferrell parents served in the U.S. military. He has four brothers and four sisters, all at least 10 years older than him. Ferrell father Cleavester died from cancer in March 2012.
Path to Professional Football
Clemson offered stability and a football program with a proven record of developing NFL talent. At Clemson, Ferrell suffered a hand injury that forced him to redshirt the 2015 season. Returning the following season, he was named co-defensive rookie of the year award with Dexter Lawrence after recording 50 tackles, 12.5 for loss, and six sacks. Ferrell was named first-team All-American in 2017 and won the Ted Hendricks Award and ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 after recording 53 tackles, 11.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. He led the ACC in sacks and tackles for loss in the 2018 season. He declared for the 2019 NFL draft following the season.
Ferrell was selected by the Oakland Raiders fourth overall in the 2019 NFL draft. This selection was met with widespread criticism as Ferrell was widely regarded as a late first round or early second round pick. On June 18, 2019, Ferrell signed his four-year rookie contract, worth a fully guaranteed $31.2 million, including a $20.8 million signing bonus. Ferrell made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. In the game, Ferrell made three tackles and recorded his first sack on Joe Flacco in the 24-16 win. In Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, Ferrell recorded 8 tackles and sacked Philip Rivers 2.5 times in the 26-24 win.
Ferrell was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Raiders on November 17, 2020, and activated on November 26. In Week 13 against the New York Jets, he recorded two strip sacks on Sam Darnold that were recovered by the Raiders during the 31-28 win. On December 30, 2020, Ferrell was placed on injured reserve. He finished the season with 27 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles through 11 games.
On April 29, 2022, the Raiders announced that they would not pick up the fifth-year option on Ferrell contract, making him a free agent in the 2023 offseason. Ferrell recorded half sacks in a Week 7, 38-20 win against the Houston Texans and a Week 13, 27-20 win against the Chargers. He recorded his final sack as a Raider during a Week 18, 31-13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Clelin Ferrell Career
Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders Era (2019-2022)
On June 18, 2019, Ferrell signed his four-year rookie contract, worth a fully guaranteed $31.2 million, including a $20.8 million signing bonus. Ferrell made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football. In the game, Ferrell made three tackles and recorded his first sack on Joe Flacco in the 24-16 win. In Week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, Ferrell recorded 8 tackles and sacked Philip Rivers 2.5 times in the 26-24 win.
Ferrell was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Raiders on November 17, 2020, and activated on November 26. In Week 13 against the New York Jets, he recorded two strip sacks on Sam Darnold that were recovered by the Raiders during the 31-28 win. On December 30, 2020, Ferrell was placed on injured reserve. He finished the season with 27 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles through 11 games.
San Francisco 49ers First Stint (2023)
On March 16, 2023, Ferrell signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Ferrell recorded his first forced fumble as a 49er in a Week 8, 31-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, during which he also recorded his first half sack for the team. The following week he recorded his first full sack in a 34-3 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He recorded another sack in a Week 14, 28-16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. In the 2023 season, he started in all 17 regular season games. He finished with 3.5 sacks, 28 total tackles, one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Washington Commanders (2024)
On March 18, 2024, Ferrell signed with the Washington Commanders. In 14 appearances, 10 starts for the Commanders, Ferrell logged 1 forced fumble, 3.5 sacks, and 26 combined tackles. Ferrell re-signed with the Commanders on a one-year contract on March 15, 2025, and was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts.
Los Angeles Chargers (2025)
On September 18, 2025, Ferrell signed with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on October 4th, appeared in their October 5th game vs the Washington Commanders. He was put back onto the practice squad on October 6th. He was released on October 14.
San Francisco 49ers Second Stint (2025-Present)
On October 29, 2025, Ferrell signed with the 49ers practice squad. On November 15, Ferrell was promoted to the active roster.
Ferrell 6 ft 4 in frame and 265 lb build give him the size and power to hold the edge against the run while creating enough burst to collapse the pocket as a pass rusher. He has shown strength at the point of attack and the ability to set a firm edge in run defense, traits valued by defensive coordinators who run aggressive four-man fronts. Ferrell has also demonstrated improved hands and rip moves that allow him to disengage from offensive linemen and get to the quarterback.
Among the most notable moments of his career are his 2.5-sack performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10 of his rookie season, his two strip sacks on Sam Darnold against the New York Jets in 2020, and winning two College Football Playoff national championships at Clemson in 2016 and 2018.
Clelin Ferrell Career Wins
Clelin Ferrell has built an NFL career spanning multiple teams since being drafted fourth overall in 2019. His production includes sacks, tackles, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries across stints with the Oakland Raiders, Las Vegas Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders, and Los Angeles Chargers. Ferrell returned to the San Francisco 49ers in late 2025 for a second stint with the team.
Ferrell earned national recognition during his Clemson career, winning the Ted Hendricks Award and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2018. He was named Consensus All-American in 2018 and first-team All-American in 2017 and 2018. Ferrell captured two College Football Playoff national championships with Clemson in 2016 and 2018.
Across his NFL career through 2025, Ferrell has recorded 184 tackles, 21 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and 12 pass deflections. During his 2023 season with the San Francisco 49ers, Ferrell started all 17 regular season games and finished with 3.5 sacks, 28 total tackles, one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
| Team | Years | Games | Sacks | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders | 2019-2022 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2023 | 17 | 3.5 | 28 |
| Washington Commanders | 2024 | 14 | 3.5 | 26 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2025 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
Clelin Ferrell Family
Family Background and Background
Both of Ferrell parents served in the U.S. military. He has four brothers and four sisters, all at least 10 years older than him. Ferrell father Cleavester died from cancer in March 2012.
2025 Season Performance
Clelin Ferrell 2025 season has been defined by movement and resilience. After signing a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders in March 2025, Ferrell was released on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. He then joined the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad on September 18 before being elevated to the active roster on October 4. He appeared in the October 5 game against the Washington Commanders before being returned to the practice squad on October 6 and released on October 14. On October 29, Ferrell signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad and was promoted to the active roster on November 15.