Clemson’s youth movement is no longer flying under the radar.
Four Tigers earned All-ACC honors from Pro Football Sports Network (PFSN), a nod that underscores both individual production and the foundation Clemson is building heading into the postseason and beyond. Linebacker Sammy Brown and offensive weapon Adam Randall headlined the list with second-team selections, while Ashton Hampton and Ricardo Jones landed on the third team.
It’s a snapshot of where Clemson is right now — younger, faster, and increasingly impactful across all three levels.
Sammy Brown Sets the Tone
Brown’s season has quietly become one of the most complete by an ACC linebacker.
PFSN credited him with an 83.2 impact score, ranking 14th nationally and third in the ACC at the position. The numbers back it up: 92 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks, all team highs or near the top.
“The linebacker corps was anchored by Clemson LB Sammy Brown,” PFSN’s Oliver Hodgkinson wrote, calling Brown a “significant force” in Clemson’s defensive scheme.
Brown wasn’t alone. Teammate Wade Woodaz also cracked the ACC’s top 10 in impact score among linebackers, reinforcing Clemson’s strength in the middle — even amid injuries late in the season.
Adam Randall’s Breakout Continues
Randall’s transformation from wide receiver to do-it-all offensive weapon has been one of Clemson’s defining storylines.
He earned a B grade from PFSN and finished 24th nationally and fourth in the ACC among all-purpose threats with an 83.1 impact score. Randall averaged 100.6 all-purpose yards per game and scored 12 touchdowns, giving Clemson versatility that traveled week to week.
In a season marked by offensive inconsistency, Randall’s production provided reliability — and matchup problems.
Secondary Strength Emerges
Clemson’s back end also earned national notice.
Cornerback Ashton Hampton posted an 85.6 impact score, ranking ninth in the ACC. The sophomore finished the season with 10 pass breakups and an interception, outperforming several more heralded veterans in the league.
At safety, Ricardo Jones delivered one of the ACC’s most productive seasons at the position. His 85.7 impact score ranked sixth in the conference, and his six interceptions placed him among the national leaders. Jones also added five pass breakups, giving Clemson a true ball-hawk presence on the back end.
What It Says About Clemson
This wasn’t a senior-driven honors list. It was a developmental one.
Brown, Randall, Hampton, and Jones represent the next wave of Clemson football — players who didn’t just fill roles, but drove outcomes. With postseason play looming and roster turnover already reshaping the program, that recognition matters.
National outlets are starting to see it, too.