Sammy Brown is fairly quietly putting together a solid season in his first season as a full-time starting linebacker at Clemson.

The former five-star talent leads the team in total tackles (78), is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (10.5) and is second in sacks (4).

With the sophomore being in his first season starting full-time and Ben Boulware being in his first as the Tigers’ linebackers coach, the two have learned different things from each other. Despite Boulware’s inexperience as a coach, Brown feels like he’s learned a lot.

One of the biggest things Brown likes about Boulware is the mental edge he brings to the table.

“He is like the fire, he is bringing the fire,” Brown said. “Coach (Tom) Allen is giving me the corrections and stuff, and Ben is giving me the fire.”

“He said one time if we mess up a fit or something, come to the sidelines with our hands ready, because we are boxing. Obviously, he’s not being serious, but I thought that was really funny.”

However, the energy Boulware brings is just one of many things Brown likes. The second-year backer has also been overly impressed with Boulware’s knowledge of the game and how that translates to his coaching style.

With Boulware still being on the younger side, he knows how to relate to some of today’s players.

“I am really, really happy being under Ben,” Brown said. “Because he does bring the fire, he does bring the intensity, he is considering himself a ‘meathead.’ But at the same time, he is very intelligent. He is really good at communicating with us. He does a really good job of being a coach and also being a COACH, if you know what I am saying.”

While Boulware may be a first-year assistant, he’s been to the mountaintop, playing a key role in Clemson’s 2026 national championship. And he did by starting at the bottom and working his way up.

After logging less than 100 snaps as a freshman during the 2013 season, Boulware had worked his way into the rotation by the time he was a sophomore. He was then a full-time starter his final two seasons, which culminated in winning the Jack Lambert Award during that national title run in his final year.

Boulware is now bringing that knowledge to the linebacker room, and Brown is trying his best to soak every bit of it up.

“He’s done it,” Brown said. “So, seeing how he prepared, seeing how he took notes, and how he prepares for a game, it does kind of give you a little insight, pointers and tips on how I can prepare.”

Photo by Bart Boatwright