“Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move,” the Washington Commanders defensive end recited, “and nothing will be impossible for you.”
It’s a constant reminder of the philosophy that has defined the latest stage of the 27-year-old’s NFL journey. The Raiders drafted Ferrell No. 4 overall out of Clemson in 2019; he probably will never live up to that pedigree. But a one-year stop in San Francisco helped rebuild the Richmond native’s confidence.
Entering his sixth NFL season and his first in Washington, he has carved out a new identity as a high-energy, rotational defensive end. So far at training camp, he has been one of the team’s starters at a reshaped position.
“Belief is the most important thing, especially in this league,” Ferrell said. “We all know we can play, but how much do you believe in yourself?”
After the 2021 season, Ferrell figured the Raiders might decline his fifth-year option. He felt he performed well but had not produced statistically. Through that point, he had finished with more than two sacks just once — his rookie season in Oakland before the franchise moved to Las Vegas.
Before last season, he signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with San Francisco, where defensive line coach Kris Kocurek has a reputation for reviving careers. Arik Armstead, Kerry Hyder Jr. and Samson Ebukam improved with the 49ers and parlayed their strong play into larger contracts elsewhere.
Ferrell, who tied his career high in pressures and was tied for third on the 49ers in tackles for loss last season, per TruMedia, followed suit and earned a raise in Washington, where he will make $3.75 million this season.
Asked about Kocurek’s secret sauce, Ferrell didn’t point to an on-field adjustment but rather the idea sketched on his arm.
“Belief,” Ferrell said. “… A lot of coaches, they know how to teach technique, they know how to teach scheme. But it’s different when a coach can instill belief in players. … It’s easy to have your confidence broken.”
Kocurek helped foster that belief, Ferrell said. He and assistant Darryl Tapp, now Washington’s defensive line coach, helped Ferrell rediscover his potential. Ferrell also was exposed to the winning culture that powered the 49ers to four of the past five NFC championship games.
“You can think you’re doing everything you can to be the best, and then you meet somebody that says, ‘No, no, no, no, you got more in you,’” he said.
Ferrell never wanted to let down 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa because of a subpar work ethic, he explained. So he went out and earned the 2022 defensive player of the year’s respect. And he won over Tapp and Commanders General Manager Adam Peters, who brought Ferrell with them from San Francisco.
Ferrell has quickly commanded respect from his new teammates, too.
“I love the way he works on and off the field,” defensive tackle Jonathan Allen said. “… His mindset is top notch. I see a lot of the same things in a lot of the top guys that I’ve ever played with.”
“That boy, he’s one of those guys, he’s high energy, high effort,” defensive tackle Daron Payne said. “He’s going to get after the quarterback.”
Ferrell has become better at harnessing his effort. It’s one of the main lessons he took from veterans: Don’t confuse activity with accomplishment. Don’t just run hard at practice; focus on technique and merge intentionality with effort.
Ferrell has honed his routine to make sure he’s healthy for the season. He has played at least 16 games in each of the past three seasons. He wants to earn third-down pass rush snaps with Washington to showcase his talent.
“I feel like I haven’t even scratched the surface,” he said. “… There’s so much more I have to give, and I ain’t getting no younger.”
Ferrell plans to debut a black visor in games, a mask hiding his gaze and intentions. At training camp, he has worn a cropped jersey that shows off his impressive 6-foot-4, 265-pound physique.
“I know that [stuff] … look cool, it look fire, huh?” he said. “… And the muscles, I know, I know, I don’t need shoulder pads. I work hard now. I work hard.”
That hard work, it seems, begets belief.