Brown named Preseason All-American
By: Will Vandervort June 30, 2026

CLEMSON — Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown received a big honor on Tuesday.

The junior linebacker was named to the Preseason All-American Team by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Brown was listed as first-team preseason All-American.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation is an all-volunteer organization founded in 1967. The Foundation operates year round working towards the following purposes:

  • Oversee the selection of the current year’s entries into the oldest college All-America Football Team as voted on by the FBS Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors.
  • Select and honor other individuals who have distinguished themselves
  • Donation of financial support to worthy charities and youth-oriented organizations.

Back in March, Brown was selected as the recipient of the 2025 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy, presented annually to the state of South Carolina’s most outstanding collegiate football player by the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame. He was formally honored by the SCFHOF during the 13th Annual SCFHOF Enshrinement Ceremony on April 16.

During the 2025 season, Brown elevated his performance to national prominence. He earned first-team All-ACC recognition from the league, the Associated Press, and Phil Steele, while also being named a second-team CSC Academic All-American — becoming the first Clemson defensive player to receive Academic All-American honors since 2001.

Starting all 13 games in 2025, Brown led the Tigers with 107 total tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. His stat line also featured a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception. Among his standout performances was a dominant outing at No. 19 Louisville, where he recorded a team-high 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pivotal late-game sack, earning ACC Linebacker of the Week honors. He also delivered a career-tying 15 tackles against Penn State, further solidifying his status as one of the nation’s premier defensive players.

The mission of the Walter Camp Football Foundation is to preserve and promote the tradition of selecting a collegiate All-America Football Team as started by Walter Camp, “The Father of American Football,” in 1889. Pay tribute to individuals who contribute to the great American game of football, perpetuate his ideals and support humanitarian programs and activities.