With the latest college football season in the books, ESPN took a look back and stacked up the top talent, ranking the 100 best players of the 2025 season.

One Clemson player – star linebacker Sammy Brown – made the list, coming in at No. 90 overall.

“In his sophomore season in 2025, Brown developed into a force in the middle of Clemson’s defense,” ESPN’s David Hale wrote. “Brown racked up 106 tackles — second most in the ACC — including 13.5 for a loss, 5 sacks, 5 PBUs, 6 QB hurries, a forced fumble and an interception. As Clemson looks to rebound in 2026, its defense will be built around Brown, who figures to be one of the top defenders in the country entering next season.”

A high school Butkus Award winner, Brown joined Clemson as a five-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class and earned Freshman All-America honors in his debut season in 2024 while also being named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. In 2025, he was a third-team All-America selection by Phil Steele, as well as a first-team All-ACC honoree by the conference, the AP and Steele.

The 6-foot-2, 235-pounder enters the 2026 season credited with 194 tackles (25.0 for loss), 10.0 sacks, 11 pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over 27 games (19 starts) in his first two seasons.

Brown was one of only 14 players nationally to post 10-plus tackles for loss and five or more sacks in each of the last two seasons, alongside fellow Clemson defender Will Heldt.

–Clemson Athletic Communications contributed to this story