Sammy Brown Earns Another Big Honor

Sammy Brown collected no shortage of accolades during his stellar prep career, and the true freshman Clemson linebacker added another nice honor to the list this week.

Brown has been named the 2024 USA TODAY HSSA National Defensive Football Player of the Year, announced on Wednesday.

The 2023 High School Butkus Award Winner, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker, Brown had a standout final season at Jefferson (Ga.) High School, leading the Dragons to the state playoff semifinals, a 5A-Region 8 championship and a 13-1 overall record.

Playing on both sides of the ball at linebacker/running back, the former five-star prospect recorded 153 tackles (80 solo and 12 for loss), one sack, two interceptions, a pass deflected and three blocked punts on defense. Offensively, he amassed 2,289 rushing yards and 41 total touchdowns.

Brown enrolled at Clemson in January as a consensus top-35 national recruit and enters his first year with the Tigers in 2024. It didn’t take the 6-foot-2, 238-pounder long to make an impact in Clemson’s spring game on April 6, when he posted a game-high-tying eight tackles (six solo), a tackle for loss and a sack.

A limited number of signed footballs from Clemson’s 2022 class are still available.  Get yours while supplies last!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!