Sammy Brown

The Player

Brown is an outstanding run defender whose explosive burst, range, and ability to rip through blocks stand out. He’s twitchy shooting through gaps and slipping blocks in tight spaces, while his quick reaction times and closing speed make him difficult to reach on perimeter runs. His range and motor make him a true sideline-to-sideline player.

He can get engulfed by offensive linemen at times, but he has a strong punch and the explosive power to stand up blockers. His gap discipline can be slightly inconsistent, but he’s an excellent tackler who squares, wraps, and drives through contact with explosive stopping power. He rarely misses, and poor pursuit angles are generally the cause when he does.

In coverage, Brown reads the quarterback well and gets his hands into passing lanes. He closes quickly on tight ends and backs in the flat and drives on passes thrown in front of him. He’s at his best in zone but has the skill set to develop in man coverage.

Brown also flashes as a pass rusher, closing well from depth, between the tackles, and off the edge. He can win with his hands and has the athleticism to spy the quarterback.

Through two seasons at Clemson, Brown has recorded 186 tackles (25 tackles for loss), 10 sacks, nine passes defended, and one interception. He earned Freshman All-America and ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 before earning first-team All-ACC honors in 2025.

A former High School Butkus Award winner and two-time state champion wrestler, Brown’s combination of explosiveness, range, physicality, and tackling ability gives him the tools to develop into a high-level three-down linebacker.