Clemson's Sammy Brown Wins Blanchard-Rogers Trophy

Linebacker honored as South Carolina's top college football player in 2025

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:19am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a Clemson football player making a tackle, with sharp planes of orange and purple colors representing the dynamic motion of the sport.Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown's award-winning season is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs the game action.Greenville Today

Clemson Football linebacker Sammy Brown has been named the recipient of the 2025 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy, presented annually to the state of South Carolina's most outstanding collegiate football player. The South Carolina Football Hall of Fame announced Brown's selection on March 5, 2026, marking the seventh time a Clemson player has earned the honor since the award's inception in 2013.

Why it matters

The Blanchard-Rogers Trophy is one of the most prestigious individual honors for college football players in South Carolina, recognizing athletic performance, leadership, and character both on and off the field. Brown's achievement highlights his rapid rise since joining the Clemson program in 2024, where he made an immediate impact as a freshman before becoming one of the team's most prominent defensive players in his sophomore season.

The details

As a true freshman in 2024, Brown became just the fourth Clemson player to earn ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors since the award's inception in 2007. During the 2025 season, he elevated his performance to national prominence as a key contributor for the Tigers. Brown will be formally honored by the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame and Ellison Kibler Merrill Lynch during the 13th Annual SCFHOF Enshrinement Ceremony at Hotel Hartness in Greenville, South Carolina, on April 16, 2026.

  • Sammy Brown was named the 2025 Blanchard-Rogers Trophy recipient on March 5, 2026.
  • Brown will be formally honored at the 13th Annual SCFHOF Enshrinement Ceremony on April 16, 2026.

The players

Sammy Brown

A linebacker for the Clemson Tigers football team who was named the 2025 recipient of the Blanchard-Rogers Trophy, presented annually to the state of South Carolina's most outstanding collegiate football player.

Clemson Football

The football program at Clemson University, which has produced seven Blanchard-Rogers Trophy winners since the award's inception in 2013.

South Carolina Football Hall of Fame

The organization that presents the annual Blanchard-Rogers Trophy to the top college football player in the state of South Carolina.

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The takeaway

Sammy Brown's Blanchard-Rogers Trophy win highlights Clemson's continued dominance in South Carolina college football, with the Tigers producing seven of the award's recipients since 2013. Brown's rapid rise from ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year as a freshman to one of the team's top defensive players in 2025 underscores his talent and potential for future success.