The high-stakes draft pick that sparked widespread NFL criticism
In short: In the 2019 NFL draft, the Las Vegas Raiders made a controversial move by selecting Clelin Ferrell fourth overall. While he was a decorated collegiate standout, many analysts believed he was a late first-round or early second-round talent, especially with other highly-rated defensive linemen available.
Clelin Ferrell's journey to the professional level was marked by both significant accolades and physical setbacks. After attending Benedictine College Preparatory, a private military academy in Richmond, Virginia, he committed to Clemson University. His collegiate career at Clemson included a redshirt season in 2015 due to a hand injury and a missed senior season after tearing his ACL. Despite these hurdles, his performance was elite; in 2017, he was named a first-team All-American, and in 2018, he earned the Ted Hendricks Award and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year title.
During that standout 2018 season, Ferrell led the ACC in both sacks and tackles for loss. This dominance led to his high selection in the 2019 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders. On June 18, 2019, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $31.2 million, which included a $20.8 million signing bonus. His early professional career showed flashes of his collegiate dominance, such as a game against the Los Angeles Chargers where he recorded 2.5 sacks against Philip Rivers.
Ferrell's career has since become a journey through various NFL rosters. After the Raiders declined his fifth-year option in April 2022, he moved through the San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers, and Miami Dolphins. His resilience is a defining theme, moving between active rosters and practice squads as he continues to compete at the highest level of professional football.
Beyond the field, Ferrell's personal history is rooted in a large family; he has four brothers and four sisters, all of whom are at least 10 years older than him. Both of his parents served in the U.S. military, and his father, Cleavester, passed away from cancer in March 2012.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Clelin Ferrell
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