Veteran Taking Freshman LB Under His Wing

With guys like Barrett Carter and Wade Woodaz on the roster, freshman Sammy Brown will have the benefit of learning from two very talented and experienced linebackers during his first season with the Tigers.

With Woodaz expected to start at the MIKE, the same position Brown has been repping, the junior linebacker has taken the first-year player under his wing. Getting the game to slow down is one of the biggest hurdles the former 5-star recruit must cross.

“A lot of times young linebackers get caught up in being super-fast, but we are all gifted naturally to be really quick,” Woodaz said. “So really slowing the game down for him because he is one of the fastest dudes on the defense.”

And Woodaz is helping Brown learn the intricacies of the Clemson defense in an effort to make that happen.

“Slowing the game down, just making sure he really knows what his job is,” Woodaz said. “I think that will help him perform.”

So far so good for Brown, who was one of the cornerstones of the Tigers’ 2024 signing class. Every recruiting service had Brown as one of the Top 5 linebackers in the class and he ranked as high as No. 13 overall.

With that kind of pedigree sometimes expectations can sway towards the unrealistic side. However, at Clemson, with experience returning at the position, Brown will be able to come along at his own pace instead of possibly being forced into action before he is ready.

It’s a plan that seems to be working, with head coach Dabo Swinney maintaining that Brown has taken a big jump since the spring.

“Sammy has made a nice jump but he’s not where he is going to be,” Swinney said. “He is just wired the right way. He is a freaky dude when it comes to who he is ability wise. It is a good situation for him to be able to have two guys like he’s got in front of him to learn and grow and hopefully we will be able to continue that and be able to bring him along and play him as we need.”

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