The 2026 NFL Draft class barely has time to unpack, but the buzz for 2027 is already roaring out of Clemson, and you better believe a Tiger legend is at the wheel.
Ben Boulware, Clemson’s own firebrand and a national champion through and through, jumped on social media Monday with a message that should have every NFL GM scrambling: Get ready to open the vault for Sammy Brown. Boulware’s shout comes right after Brown’s sophomore season, where he didn’t just dominate the ACC—he owned it.
The "Ben Boulware" Seal of Approval
When Ben Boulware, a guy who knows firsthand what it means to rule college football, stamps you as a first-round lock, people pay attention. His post said it all: '2027. 1st Round. Mark it down.'
That’s high praise, but let’s be real: Boulware isn’t just pumping up another Tiger. The stats back him up.
A Statistical Freak of Nature
Sammy Brown’s sophomore year was a highlight reel of pure, old-school Clemson defense. He finished 2025 with:
- Tackles: 106 (Tied for 2nd most in the ACC)
- Tackles for Loss: 13.5
- Sacks: 5.0
- Impact Plays: 7 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception.
What sets Brown apart is how he brings it every single week. Only 14 players in the country have stacked up 10 or more tackles for loss and 5 or more sacks in back-to-back seasons. Heading into his junior year, Brown already has 194 tackles and 10 sacks in just 27 games. That’s Tiger toughness.
The "Butkus" Pedigree
NFL scouts have had their eyes on Brown since he was the top linebacker recruit out of Georgia. He grabbed the high school Butkus Award, then rolled right into Clemson and snatched ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year as a freshman. No drop-off, just domination.
At 6-2, 235, Brown brings that classic Clemson power and the kind of speed that covers every blade of grass. In today’s NFL, where teams want linebackers who never leave the field, Brown is exactly what they’re looking for.
Like Boulware said, 2026 is shaping up to be Brown’s victory lap before he takes his game—and that Tiger heart—to the NFL in 2027.
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