Former Clemson Star: ‘We’re a Football School’
By: Gavin Oliver March 21, 2025

During his press conference Thursday after re-signing with the Washington Commanders, former Clemson defensive end Clelin Ferrell was informed that his alma mater’s basketball team was getting steamrolled by McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Ferrell had a surprised look on his face for a moment, then gave his reaction to the score.

“Well we’re a football school,” he said. “Three-time national championship Clemson Tigers. NCAA football, we’re a football school.”

Clemson trailed big (31-13) at halftime before making a comeback bid in the second half, but McNeese held off the late rally to win 69-67.

“And shoutout to my guys on the Clemson basketball team,” Ferrell added. “It be some tough years out there, but don’t worry, the rain gotta stop at some point.”

Of course, Ferrell was a key part of Clemson’s 2016 and 2018 national championship teams and finished his Tiger career with 166 tackles, 50 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, 51 quarterback pressures, seven pass breakups and five caused fumbles over 44 games (all starts).

Ferrell left Clemson as only the second two-time, first-team AP All-American and the school’s first such player since 1981-82, while he is tied with William “Refrigerator” Perry for fourth in Clemson history with 27 career sacks.

After being selected by the Raiders in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, Ferrell spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Raiders before playing with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder signed a free agent deal with the Commanders ahead of the 2024 season and then re-signed with the team this offseason. He played in 14 regular season games last season (10 starts) and finished with 3.5 sacks, one shy of his career high in his rookie 2019 season.

In 89 career NFL games (57 starts), Ferrell has tallied 159 total tackles, 17 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.