Max Brown Commits to Clemson, Continuing a Family Legacy
Clemson University’s football program has kicked off its 2027 recruiting class with a significant commitment from four-star linebacker Max Brown, a standout from Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Georgia. The announcement, made on June 3, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for the Tigers, as Brown becomes the first pledge in their 2027 class and continues a family tradition by joining his older brother, Sammy Brown, a rising star linebacker on the Clemson roster. This commitment not only strengthens Clemson’s linebacker corps but also underscores the program’s enduring appeal under head coach Dabo Swinney.
Max Brown, a 6-foot-1, 214-pound prospect, is rated as a four-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite, ranking as the No. 35 player in Georgia and the No. 17 linebacker nationally. His decision to commit to Clemson came swiftly after receiving an offer from the Tigers on June 1, 2025, during a visit to campus. Brown, who had close to 20 offers from top programs including Ohio State, Auburn, Tennessee, Michigan, LSU, and Georgia, described the moment as “indescribable” and a “dream come true.” In an interview with The Clemson Insider, he recounted the emotional weight of the offer: “I called Coach Boulware on the way over to one of my friends’ houses… He offered me, and I committed right after he offered me.” Later, a FaceTime call from Coach Swinney, who personally reiterated the offer, sealed the moment as one Brown said he’d “never forget for as long as I live.”
The Brown family’s connection to Clemson runs deep. Max’s older brother, Sammy Brown, was a five-star recruit in the 2024 class and has already made waves as a true freshman, earning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and recording 87 tackles, 11.5 for loss, and five sacks in 2024. The brothers, both products of Jefferson High, share a passion for football fostered by their father, Michael Brown, a football coach. Max grew up attending Clemson games and camps, immersing himself in the program’s culture. “Clemson’s always felt like another home to me,” Max told TigerNet. “I’ve been up there so many times, and it never gets old. It has that small-town feel that you don’t feel anywhere else.”
On the field, Max Brown is a force. As a sophomore, he led Jefferson High to an 11-4 record, amassing 152 tackles, 14 for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries, earning him a spot on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Second Team Defense. Over two high school seasons, he has tallied 195 tackles, 102 solo, and averaged seven tackles per game, while also showcasing versatility with four kick returns averaging 23 yards each. His aggressive style and football IQ draw comparisons to his brother, though Max is noted as a distinct player with a relentless motor and instinctual play. “They love how I fly around and play with a bunch of passion,” Brown said of Clemson’s coaching staff.
Clemson’s coaching staff, particularly new linebackers coach Ben Boulware, played a crucial role in securing Max’s commitment. Boulware, a former Clemson national champion linebacker, was promoted to the role after serving as a defensive intern and took charge of Max’s recruitment. Brown praised Boulware’s relatability, noting, “Having somebody who’s been there, done that, and won a national championship at the same school… it’s just a whole other level of good.” Head coach Dabo Swinney’s emphasis on culture and player development also resonated with Brown, who told The Clemson Insider, “They do it the right way… they make sure you’re going to be a better man than you are a football player.”
The commitment is a significant win for Clemson, especially amidst competition from powerhouse programs like Ohio State, which made a strong push to sway Brown. His decision to choose Clemson over other suitors highlights the program’s ability to maintain its recruiting prowess despite challenges posed by the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal. If Sammy Brown remains at Clemson through his senior year, the brothers could share the field at Memorial Stadium in 2027, with Max as a freshman and Sammy as a senior, creating a special opportunity to continue their high school chemistry at the collegiate level.
Max Brown’s commitment signals a strong start for Clemson’s 2027 class and reinforces the program’s reputation as a linebacker factory. With Boulware’s guidance and Swinney’s vision, the Tigers are poised to develop Max into a cornerstone of their defense, potentially cementing the Brown brothers as a defining duo in Clemson’s storied history. As Max told TigerNet, the thought of running down the hill at Death Valley has him “super pumped up,” and Tiger fans are equally excited for what’s to come.
