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Clelin Ferrell
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Clelin Ferrell (born May 17, 1997) 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 San Francisco 49ers and Washington Commanders.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Ferrell was born on May 17, 1997, in Richmond, Virginia. Clelin attended Benedictine College Preparatory, a private military academy in Richmond.[1] 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.[1][2]
College career
[edit]At Clemson, Ferrell suffered a hand injury that forced him to redshirt the 2015 season.[3] 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.[4][5][6] He led the ACC in sacks and tackles for loss in the 2018 season.[7] He declared for the 2019 NFL draft following the season.[8]
| Year | GP | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Total | Loss | Sack | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF | ||
| 2015 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 14 | 21 | 23 | 44 | 12.5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 33 | 33 | 66 | 18 | 9.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2018 | 15 | 29 | 26 | 55 | 20 | 11.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Career | 44 | 84 | 82 | 166 | 50.5 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Broad jump | Bench press | Wonderlic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 4+3⁄8 in (1.94 m) |
264 lb (120 kg) |
34+1⁄8 in (0.87 m) |
10+1⁄2 in (0.27 m) |
4.40 s | 7.26 s | 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) |
25 reps | 21[9] | ||||
| All values are from NFL Scouting Combine[10][11] | ||||||||||||
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders
[edit]
Ferrell was selected by the Oakland Raiders fourth overall in the 2019 NFL draft.[12] This selection was met with widespread criticism as Ferrell was widely regarded as a late first round or early second round pick, while several other defensive linemen more highly-rated than Ferrell like Josh Allen and Ed Oliver were available.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16]
Ferrell was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Raiders on November 17, 2020,[17] and activated on November 26.[18] 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.[19] On December 30, 2020, Ferrell was placed on injured reserve.[20] He finished the season with 27 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles through 11 games.[21]
On April 29, 2022, the Raiders announced that they would not pick up the fifth-year option on Ferrell's contract, making him a free agent in the 2023 offseason.[22] Ferrell recorded half sacks in a Week 7, 38–20 win against the Houston Texans[23] and a Week 13, 27–20 win against the Chargers.[24] He recorded his final sack as a Raider during a Week 18, 31–13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.[25]
San Francisco 49ers (first stint)
[edit]On March 16, 2023, Ferrell signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.[26]
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.[27] The following week he recorded his first full sack in a 34–3 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars.[28] He recorded another sack in a Week 14, 28–16 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.[29] In the 2023 season, he started in all 17 regular season games. He finished with 3.5 sacks, 28 total tackles (15 solo), one pass defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.[30]
Washington Commanders
[edit]On March 18, 2024, Ferrell signed with the Washington Commanders.[31] 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.[32][33]
Los Angeles Chargers
[edit]On September 18, 2025, Ferrell signed with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad.[34] He was released on October 14.[35]
San Francisco 49ers (second stint)
[edit]On October 29, 2025, Ferrell signed with the 49ers practice squad.[36]
Statistics
[edit]| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | TfL | Sck | Sfty | Int | Yds | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2019 | OAK | 15 | 15 | 38 | 24 | 14 | 8 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | LV | 11 | 11 | 27 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | LV | 16 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | LV | 16 | 4 | 26 | 8 | 18 | 3 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | SF | 17 | 17 | 28 | 15 | 13 | 6 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | WAS | 14 | 10 | 26 | 11 | 15 | 3 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 88 | 57 | 158 | 84 | 74 | 24 | 16.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
Postseason
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | TfL | Sck | Sfty | Int | Yds | Lng | TD | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2021 | LV | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Personal life
[edit]Both of Ferrell's parents served in the U.S. military.[1] He has four brothers and four sisters, all at least 10 years older than him.[1] Ferrell's father Cleavester died from cancer in March 2012.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e Brenner, Aaron (September 7, 2016). "Clelin Ferrell's tough-love journey from military school to Clemson starter". Post and Courier. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ Rapp, Timothy (June 4, 2014). "Clelin Ferrell to Clemson: Tigers Land 4-Star DE Prospect". Bleacher Report. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
- ^ Crouse, Karen (January 1, 2017). "After Waiting His Turn, Clemson Defensive End Clelin Ferrell Pounces". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "Ted Hendricks Award Winners". Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "ACC Defensive Player of the Year Winners". Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "NFL Draft & Combine Profile - Clelin Ferrell". NFL.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Atlantic Coast Conference Leaders". Sports Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ Crawford, Brad (January 11, 2019). "Clemson pass rusher Clelin Ferrell declares for 2019 NFL Draft". 247 Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
- ^ Hladik, Matt (May 26, 2024). "The Wonderlic Scores For NFL Draft's Top Prospects Have Leaked". The Spun. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "Clelin Ferrell Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 3, 2018.
- ^ "2019 Draft Scout Clelin Ferrell, Clemson NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Wesseling, Chris (April 25, 2019). "Oakland Raiders select Clelin Ferrell at No. 4 overall". NFL.com. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- ^ Johnson, Dalton (April 26, 2019). "NFL Draft 2019: Clelin Ferrell to Raiders at No. 4 pick shocks Twitter". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ Bair, Scott (June 18, 2019). "Raiders, No. 4 overall pick Clelin Ferrell agree to four-year contract". NBC Sports Bay Area & California. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "Raiders beat Broncos 24–16 in 1st game after Brown's release". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
- ^ "Raiders rally to beat Chargers 26-24". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ Alper, Josh (November 17, 2020). "Raiders put Clelin Ferrell, Lamarcus Joyner on COVID-19 list". NBCSports.com. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ Damien, Levi (November 26, 2020). "Raiders activate DE Clelin Ferrell from reserve/COVID-19 list". USAToday.com. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
- ^ "Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets - December 6th, 2020". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
- ^ "Clelin Ferrell ruled out for season finale vs. Broncos". Raiders.com. December 30, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ "Clelin Ferrell 2020 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ Gordon, Grant (April 29, 2022). "Raiders decline fifth-year options for DE Clelin Ferrell, RB Josh Jacobs, DB Johnathan Abram". NFL.com. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
- ^ "Josh Jacobs rushes for 3 TDs, Raiders beat Texans 38-20". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 24, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Carr-Adams connection rallies Raiders past Chargers 27-20". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ Kopp, Ron (January 7, 2023). "Final score: Chiefs handle Raiders 31-13, earn top seed in AFC playoffs". ArrowheadPride.com. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "49ers Sign DL Clelin Ferrell to a One-Year Deal". 49ers.com. March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
- ^ "Burrow throws 3 TD passes to lead the Bengals past the 49ers 31-17". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 30, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "49ers dominate Jaguars 34-3 to end 3-game skid and look like Super Bowl contendors again". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 12, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Samuel scores 2 TDs, Purdy throws for career-best 368 yards as 49ers beat Seahawks 28-16". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
- ^ "Clelin Ferrell 2023 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "Commanders sign DE Clelin Ferrell". Commanders.com. March 18, 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
- ^ "Source: Commanders re-sign DE Clelin Ferrell to 1-year deal". espn.com. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ Zelby, Zach (August 26, 2025). "Commanders place Sam Cosmi on Reserve/PUP list; release 30 players". Commanders.com. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
- ^ "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Tony Jefferson to Active Roster". chargers.com. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ^ Koslow, Ari. "Clelin Ferrell released by Chargers". Fantasy Pros. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ^ "49ers Sign DL Clelin Ferrell to the Practice Squad, Waive OL Drew Moss". 49ers.com. October 29, 2025. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports
- San Francisco 49ers bio
- Clemson Tigers profile
Clelin Ferrell
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background
Clelin Ferrell was born on May 17, 1997, in Richmond, Virginia, to parents Cleavester Ferrell Sr. and Faye Ferrell, both of whom served extensively in the U.S. Army.[12] His father, Cleavester, was a Vietnam War veteran who fought in the conflict and later became the head of the family, while his mother, Faye, also dedicated her career to military service.[1][13] Together, Cleavester and Faye accumulated a combined 46 years of service in the Army, instilling a strong sense of discipline and structure in their household.[5] Ferrell grew up as the youngest of nine siblings, including four brothers and four sisters, all of whom were at least 10 years older than him.[1][3] The family came from a broader lineage of military veterans, with Ferrell later reflecting on the sacrifices made by his parents, siblings, aunts, and uncles in service to the country.[1] This environment shaped his early life, emphasizing resilience and accountability, particularly after his father's death from cancer in March 2012, when Ferrell was 14 years old.[14] Following Cleavester's passing, Ferrell's older brother assumed a father-figure role, guiding him through the challenges of adolescence in a military-influenced family.[14]High school career
Clelin Ferrell attended Benedictine College Prep in Richmond, Virginia, where he played football as a defensive end and outside linebacker.[4] As a sophomore, he led the team in sacks and tackles for loss while earning second-team All-State honors.[15] During his junior year, Ferrell recorded 60 tackles and 11.5 sacks, securing All-State recognition and an invitation to the Under Armour All-America Game.[4] Ranked as the fifth-best high school prospect in Virginia and a four-star recruit with a 247Sports composite rating of 96, Ferrell received scholarship offers from more than two dozen college programs before committing to Clemson University.[1][15] However, three months after his commitment, he suffered an ACL tear that caused him to miss his entire senior season.[1] Despite the injury, Ferrell supported his team from the sidelines as they won the Virginia state championship.[1] He also participated in basketball at Benedictine, contributing to the school's athletic programs.[16]College career
Seasons at Clemson
Ferrell redshirted his freshman year in 2015, preserving a year of eligibility while learning the Clemson defensive scheme under coordinator Brent Venables.[17] As a redshirt freshman in 2016, Ferrell emerged as a rotational defensive end, appearing in all 15 games and recording 50 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 6.0 sacks.[18] His contributions helped Clemson's defense rank among the nation's elite, allowing just 13.7 points per game en route to an undefeated season and a national championship victory over Alabama in the College Football Playoff.[18] Ferrell's pressure on quarterbacks, including 24 quarterback hurries, showcased his quick first step and power off the edge, though he was still developing consistency in run defense.[17] In his sophomore season of 2017, Ferrell became a full-time starter, tallying 63 tackles, 18.0 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles across 14 games.[19] He led the team in sacks, and his efforts were instrumental in Clemson's ACC Championship win and Peach Bowl victory, though the Tigers fell short in the national semifinals.[19] Ferrell's improved technique, including better hand usage and bend around the corner, allowed him to disrupt plays more effectively against both run and pass.[17] Ferrell's junior year in 2018 marked his breakout campaign as a redshirt junior, where he started all 15 games and led Clemson with 53 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.[20] His dominant performance earned him the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award and the Ted Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end.[21] These stats highlighted his versatility, as he generated 27 quarterback pressures and contributed to Clemson's second national title in three years, including a win over Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl and a victory over Alabama in the championship game.[20] Over his three playing seasons, Ferrell amassed 166 tackles, 50 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, and five forced fumbles, solidifying his role as a cornerstone of one of college football's most formidable defenses.[21]| Year | Games | Tackles | TFL | Sacks | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 15 | 50 | 12.5 | 6.0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 14 | 63 | 18.0 | 9.5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | 15 | 53 | 19.5 | 11.5 | 3 | 2 |
| Career | 44 | 166 | 50.0 | 27.0 | 5 | 2 |
Awards and honors
During his time at Clemson University, Clelin Ferrell accumulated numerous accolades as a standout defensive end, reflecting his dominance on the defensive line. In 2016, as a freshman, he shared the team's defensive rookie-of-the-year honors with teammate Dexter Lawrence.[21] Ferrell's sophomore season in 2017 marked his emergence as a national talent, earning first-team All-American honors from the Associated Press (AP) and Sports on Earth, while receiving second-team recognition from outlets including The All-American, CBS Sports, the Football Writers Association of America, Rivals, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today. He was also selected as a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) performer by the conference coaches, AP, and Phil Steele publications, and he finished as one of five finalists for the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the nation's top defensive end.[21] In 2018, Ferrell's senior year, he reached the pinnacle of individual recognition by winning the Ted Hendricks Award, securing 50% of the votes from the selection committee ahead of finalists Josh Allen (Kentucky), Jaylon Ferguson (Louisiana Tech), and Sutton Smith (Northern Illinois). He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, receiving 28 votes in the coaches' poll, and earned unanimous first-team All-ACC honors from the AP. Additionally, Ferrell was a Bednarik Award semifinalist for the nation's top defender and achieved consensus first-team All-American status with selections from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), AP, Sporting News, and Walter Camp Football Foundation. He was voted a permanent team captain for the season. Ferrell also led the ACC and ranked sixth nationally in sacks with 11.5, while topping the conference in tackles for loss with 19.5.[21][22][23]Professional career
2019 NFL Draft
Ferrell declared for the 2019 NFL Draft following his senior season at Clemson, where he had recorded 11.5 sacks and earned consensus All-American honors. He participated in the 2019 Senior Bowl, showcasing his pass-rushing skills against top competition and boosting his draft stock among NFL scouts.[24] At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ferrell measured 6 feet 4⅜ inches tall and 264 pounds, with 34⅛-inch arms and 10½-inch hands; he completed 25 repetitions on the bench press but declined to run the 40-yard dash or participate in other timed drills.[25] Pre-draft evaluations highlighted Ferrell's impressive physical traits, including his length, strength, and ability to disrupt quarterbacks with power and hand usage, positioning him as an NFL-ready edge defender suited for a 4-3 scheme.[26] However, analysts noted limitations in his bend, burst, and overall athleticism compared to elite prospects like Josh Allen or Brian Burns, with some questioning if his college production was inflated by Clemson's dominant defense.[27] Consensus big boards ranked him as a late first-round prospect, typically projected around the 19th overall pick.[28] On April 25, 2019, during the first round of the draft in Nashville, Tennessee, the Oakland Raiders selected Ferrell fourth overall, passing on Kentucky's Josh Allen and other available edge rushers in a move widely viewed as a reach.[29] Raiders general manager Mike Mayock praised Ferrell's fit in their defensive scheme, comparing him to former NFL star Chris Long for his versatility and intangibles.[30] Ferrell expressed surprise at the high selection, later signing a four-year rookie contract worth $31.36 million, including a $20.83 million signing bonus.[31][32]Raiders tenure (2019–2022)
Clelin Ferrell was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Clemson University.[6] He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $31.36 million, including a $20.83 million signing bonus.[32] As a rookie in 2019, Ferrell transitioned to the professional level on a defensive line that featured veterans like Khalil Mack early in the season before Mack's trade to the Chicago Bears. Ferrell appeared in 16 games without a start, recording 33 combined tackles (16 solo), 4.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble.[33] His performance peaked late in the year, including a breakout game against the Los Angeles Chargers where he notched 2.5 sacks and six run stops.[34] In 2020, Ferrell's role expanded slightly, but a shoulder injury limited him to 11 games with 1 start. He tallied 27 combined tackles (18 solo), 2 sacks, and 3 pass deflections.[33] His sack rate dropped to 0.18 per game from 0.28 as a rookie, reflecting challenges in maintaining consistent pressure amid a rebuilding Raiders defense.[35] The following year, 2021, saw Ferrell in all 16 games with 9 starts, contributing 20 combined tackles (11 solo), 1.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, and 1 fumble recovery.[33] He occasionally lined up inside at defensive tackle to leverage his strength against the run, though his overall production remained modest.[36] Ferrell's final season with the Raiders in 2022 included all 16 games and 10 starts, where he posted 25 combined tackles (10 solo), 2 sacks, 2 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.[33] The team declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract in April 2022, positioning him for unrestricted free agency after the campaign.[36] Over his four years in Las Vegas (including the team's relocation from Oakland in 2020), Ferrell played in 58 games with 30 starts, amassing 105 combined tackles, 10 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 11 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries.[7]| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Comb. Tackles | Sacks | TFL | PD | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | LV | 16 | 0 | 33 | 4.5 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | LV | 11 | 1 | 27 | 2.0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | LV | 16 | 9 | 20 | 1.5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | LV | 16 | 10 | 25 | 2.0 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | LV | 58 | 30 | 105 | 10.0 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 2 |
San Francisco 49ers (2023)
On March 15, 2023, Ferrell signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers as an unrestricted free agent following four seasons with the Raiders.[37] He joined a defensive line featuring stars like Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead, providing rotational depth as an edge rusher in the 49ers' 4-3 scheme.[38] Ferrell experienced a career resurgence during the 2023 regular season, starting all 17 games and logging 889 defensive snaps, a significant increase from his Raiders tenure. He recorded 28 total tackles (15 solo), 3.5 sacks—a personal best—six tackles for loss, 13 quarterback hits, one pass defensed, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.[6] His sacks included a notable strip-sack of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith in Week 15, contributing to the 49ers' league-leading defense that allowed the fewest points per game (17.5).[39] Ferrell's improved pass-rush efficiency, with a 7.2% pressure rate per PFF, helped bolster San Francisco's NFC-best 48 sacks as a team.[40] However, Ferrell suffered a knee injury late in the regular season, which sidelined him for the entire postseason as the 49ers advanced to Super Bowl LVIII.[41] Despite the injury, his contributions were pivotal in the 49ers' 12-5 record and NFC West title, marking his most productive NFL campaign to date.Washington Commanders (2024)
On March 12, 2024, the Washington Commanders agreed to terms on a one-year contract with defensive end Clelin Ferrell, worth a base value of $3.75 million with $3.05 million guaranteed, including a $1.75 million signing bonus.[42][43] The deal was officially announced by the team on March 18, 2024, bringing Ferrell to Washington after his stint with the San Francisco 49ers.[44] Ferrell entered the 2024 season as a Day 1 starter on the defensive line under new head coach Dan Quinn, providing rotational depth and pass-rush support alongside players like Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.[45] In 14 regular-season games, with 10 starts, he recorded 26 combined tackles (11 solo, 15 assisted), 3.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 9 quarterback hits, and 1 forced fumble, contributing to the Commanders' improved defensive performance en route to a 12-5 record and an NFC East second-place finish.[6] His sacks included key pressures in games against divisional rivals, helping limit opponents' rushing efficiency in select matchups.[8] Ferrell's season was interrupted by a knee injury sustained early, causing him to miss Weeks 3 through 5, including the Monday Night Football matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 23, 2024.[46] He returned in Week 6 but was limited in practice at times due to the ongoing knee issue, transitioning to a more rotational role later in the year while remaining a serviceable contributor against both the run and pass.[45][47] In the playoffs, Ferrell appeared in three postseason games for the Commanders, logging 4 combined tackles and 1 pass deflection as part of their defensive effort through the wild-card round, divisional round, and NFC Championship.[6] His overall tenure in 2024 marked a rebound from prior seasons, solidifying his role as a reliable edge defender before the team opted not to retain him for 2025.[48]2025 season
Ferrell was released by the Commanders in late August 2025.[49] In the 2025 NFL season, Clelin Ferrell began on the practice squad of the Los Angeles Chargers after signing with the team on September 18. He was elevated to the active roster for Week 5, appearing in one game against the opponent that week, where he recorded one sack but no tackles.[6] Ferrell was released by the Chargers on October 14. Two weeks later, on October 28, he joined the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad, marking his second stint with the organization after playing there in 2023. He was elevated for Week 9 and made his debut with the 49ers on November 3 against the Los Angeles Rams, contributing three total tackles (one solo) and one sack in a rotational role on the defensive line.[50] As of November 20, 2025, through three games, Ferrell has accumulated five total tackles, one sack, and approximately 50 defensive snaps, providing depth amid injuries on both teams' defensive fronts.[6][40] His performance has included three pressures, demonstrating his value as a pass-rush specialist in limited opportunities. On November 15, 2025, the 49ers signed Ferrell to their 53-man roster, though he was inactive for the Week 11 game against the Arizona Cardinals on November 16.[11][51]Career statistics
Regular season
| Year | Team | GP | GS | Combined Tackles | Solo | Assisted | Sacks | Int | PD | FF | FR | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | OAK | 15 | 15 | 38 | 24 | 14 | 4.5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2020 | LVR | 11 | 11 | 27 | 18 | 9 | 2.0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | LVR | 16 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 6 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | LVR | 16 | 4 | 26 | 8 | 18 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | SFO | 17 | 17 | 28 | 15 | 13 | 3.5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | WAS | 14 | 10 | 26 | 11 | 15 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2TM | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career Total | 92 | 57 | 164 | 86 | 78 | 18.0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
