Sammy Brown, a five-star recruit and the top-ranked inside linebacker for the Class of 2024, brought immense potential to the Clemson Tigers’ defense. Ranked 13th in the ESPN 300, Brown’s decision to join Clemson marked a crucial win for the team, especially as he chose the Tigers over powerhouse teams like Georgia and Ohio State.
In his senior year at Jefferson High School, Brown stood out as a key player on the varsity football team, setting the stage for an impactful college career with Clemson.
How fast is Sammy Brown? Breaking down his 40-yard dash time
Sammy Brown's athletic skill is clear to everyone, with his 40-yard dash clocking in at a swift 4.4 seconds. This impressive speed for a linebacker adds to his versatility on the field, enabling him to cover ground quickly and respond to plays with agility.
With such a competitive 40 time, Brown demonstrates his capability to go head-to-head with both offensive and defensive threats.
Brown’s 2024 season campaign for Tigers
Freshman Sammy Brown has recorded 26 tackles for Clemson, with 19 being solo efforts, and has contributed 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. While he has yet to force any fumbles or intercept any passes, his performance has been consistent throughout the season.
In his game log, Brown's standout performances include a season-high of 9 tackles against Appalachian State on Sept. 7, including 7 solo tackles.
He followed that up with 8 tackles and a pass defended against North Carolina State on Sept. 21. His play continued with 3 tackles in victories against Stanford and Virginia.
Sammy Brown: Clemson’s five-star defensive powerhouse
Sammy Brown stands at an impressive 6'2" and weighs 235 pounds. From Commerce, Georgia, Brown attended Jefferson High School, where his father, Michael Brown, served as the football coach.
Throughout his high school career, Sammy consistently demonstrated his athletic ability with standout stats, including a 39.5-inch vertical jump, a bench press of 395 pounds, a 600-pound squat, a 10.92-second 100-meter dash, a 50.5-second 400-meter dash, a 565-pound deadlift, and a 335-pound clean.
Brown showcased his skills on both offense and defense, playing as a linebacker and a running back, and displayed impressive strength and agility by nearly benching 400 pounds and squatting 600 pounds.
In his senior season, he led his team defensively with 153 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. One of his best performances was against Wren, where he recorded 17 tackles and 1 tackle for loss.
Clemson Tigers' record and class ranking
Clemson’s 2024 recruiting class was strong, with top linebacker Sammy Brown joining rising stars like Drew Woodaz and CJ Kubah-Taylor. This solid group of recruits helped Clemson secure the No. 15 spot in 247’s composite rankings in 2024.
The Tigers (6-2, 5-1 ACC) are a balanced team on offense and defense this season. At quarterback, Cade Klubnik has shown consistency with 179 completions on 275 attempts, adding up to 2,064 yards, 21 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
On the ground, Phil Mafah leads with 853 yards and 8 touchdowns on 135 carries, while Klubnik has contributed 270 rushing yards as well. Antonio Williams leads the receiving group with 34 catches for 418 yards and 6 TDs. TE Jake Briningstool and WR T.J. Moore have 349 and 331 receiving yards, respectively.
Defensively, Wade Woodaz has been a standout with 60 tackles, supported by R.J. Mickens and Barrett Carter (39 tackles each). Sammy Brown’s arrival adds even more depth to this strong defense, promising to make a long-term impact.
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