Blog

Aug 05, 2023

Pangos AA Camp: Four

247Sports’s No. 1 ranked linebacker Sammy Brown, the highest-ranked linebacker

247Sports's No. 1 ranked linebacker Sammy Brown, the highest-ranked linebacker in our network's history as he checks in at No. 5 nationally regardless of position, was also the first prospect Dabo Swinney and his staff offered a scholarship to in the 2024 class.

And now Swinney and the Tigers got their man.

The Jefferson (Ga.) High five-star announced his commitment to the ACC powerhouse on Monday evening after giving his pledge to Swinney and his staff at the end of his official visit that transpired over the weekend.

"So I had a meeting with (Swinney) to just talk about where I’m at," Brown said. "And he basically said that he wants me to commit when I’m ready. And I told him that I am ready right now. I’m pretty sure Coach Swinney jumped up onto his table when I told him."

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Brown laughed at the end of telling that story. He chooses Clemson over his other finalists in Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Tennessee. He will not take the other planned officials he scheduled and becomes commit No. 9 for the Tigers in the 2024 cycle.

"I think the biggest thing about Clemson is the overall genuineness of the place," Brown said. He's been attending football camp in Death Valley since he was in elementary school and his official was another great experience.

"I didn't really learn a whole lot more about Clemson as a whole but felt better connected when I left. I felt like I was able to bond with the other commits and players better than anywhere else. They are all very similar to me in personality, the Woodaz brothers and Barrett Carter to name a few. Not only that, but we have a possibility to have a really good class this cycle. Not to mention any names but there are some high-ranked recruits that committed or are going to commit. But in the end the biggest thing that stood out to me this weekend is how much I have in common with Clemson.

"There was nothing really specific this weekend that made me commit. I prayed about it all week and Saturday I just felt like everything clicked and told me it was time. God put in my heart that it was time for me to commit."

There is not a program Brown has followed closer in his life than Clemson and he's had a lot of great experiences on campus. As a young kid he lost his backpack at a football camp and it was found by a staffer. The penalty was up-downs that Swinney did with him.

"It's almost surreal to think that I kinda kept up with them growing up, watching the players and the success," Brown said, adding in the past that Clemson has the best culture in college football. "To now finally have the opportunity to be a part of what I grew up watching is just a blessing. I can remember taking my picture at the Dabo Swinney football camp every summer and thinking about how cool that was."

This was certainly another cool moment on the journey for Brown.

One of the most athletic players in the country regardless of position, Brown had a fantastic junior year rushing for 1,459 yards and 21 touchdowns with 246 yards receiving and three more scores. He also had 113 tackles, five stops for loss, a sack, an interception and four pass breakups. He is also a two-time state wrestling champ and one of the top sprinters in the Peach State.