Preseason Accolades Highlight Clemson’s Defensive Outlook
Sammy Brown, Clemson’s standout linebacker, has been placed on the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award alongside 90 other elite defenders, a testament to his dominance on the defensive front. The honor follows a string of preseason recognitions that also include the Butkus, Nagurski and Walter Camp Player of the Year lists, as well as selections to Phil Steele’s All‑America team and the USA TODAY Sports All‑ACC squad.
Brown’s impact is reflected in his career numbers: 186 tackles, 99 solo stops, 25 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and eight pass breakups entering his junior season. Last year he led the Tigers with 106 tackles, including 51 solo, and added five sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss, underscoring his role as the anchor of Clemson’s defense.
Freshman cornerback Ashton Hampton also earned a spot on the Bednarik watch list, having been named to the Jim Thorpe Award preseason list earlier in August and receiving Freshman All‑American honors from the Football Writers Association of America in 2024. Hampton has appeared in all 27 games over his first two seasons, showcasing the depth of talent at the secondary.
The Bednarik Award, presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club, celebrates the nation’s most outstanding defensive player. Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech captured the trophy last year, setting a high bar for Brown and his peers as they aim to bring the accolade back to the ACC.
Clemson will open the 2026 campaign on September 5 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, facing a LSU squad that enters the season ranked No. 13 in the Coaches Poll and No. 11 in the AP Top 25. The Tigers themselves sit at No. 23 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, unranked in the AP poll, adding a layer of intrigue to the early‑season showdown.
With both Brown and Hampton poised to influence the Tigers’ defensive narrative, the upcoming matchup against LSU serves as a litmus test for a unit that hopes to translate preseason buzz into on‑field dominance. The stage is set for a season that could redefine Clemson’s defensive identity.