JEFFERSON, Ga. — Sammy Brown said there was no wrong choice.
However, after an official visit to Clemson last week, the nation’s top-rated linebacker and the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, according to 247Sports, picked the orange and white of Clemson on Monday for the next step in his football career.
He also admits he had some help in the decision.
“I had been praying about it -- specifically about Clemson -- and after that visit, it just seemed that it just all kind of came together and clicked,” he said. “It just seemed that God was telling me this is the place I needed to be.”
Brown picked the Tigers over Georgia, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Brown said it came down to the Tigers and Georgia in nearby Athens.
“I don’t think there was a wrong answer at all,” Brown said. “Calling all the other coaches afterward was the hardest part because everyone was so good to me. All the other coaches told me they were happy for me and rooting for me, so that showed, to me, that I had been looking at the right places to go.
“It was a tough decision for sure. I’m just glad (the recruiting process) is over, and I can just focus on my senior year.”
Brown is one of the most dynamic athletes in the state. In 2022, Brown rushed for 1,459 yards and 21 touchdowns while also recording 113 tackles on defense from his linebacker spot. He also is a two-time state champion in wrestling for the Dragons.
While the recent temptation for the nation’s top players is to graduate early and get ready for the spring at their new home, Brown was uncertain whether he would do that or finish his final high school year in the other two sports.
“I love running track, and I love wrestling. I haven’t decided yet. You only do high school one time, and I would like to finish the entire year,” Brown said. “But there are a couple of linebackers at Clemson that may leave after this coming season, and if they do, that could mean a couple of open spots. If that happens, I’ll have to look at things at that time.”
Brown did say he has enough credits to graduate in December if he so chooses.
