Jefferson’s Sammy Brown among top-rated recruits considering both Georgia and Tennessee
JEFFERSON — A year ago, Jefferson standout linebacker/running back Sammy Brown was forced to stand on the sideline with a leg injury as the Dragons lost two of their last three games — the region championship to North Oconee and the first round playoff game against Hapeville Charter.
He was annoyed and frustrated that he couldn’t help his team on the field in the two biggest games of the season.
Now, he’s ready to close out the regular season Friday at home against Eastside before embarking on what he and the Dragons home is another deep playoff run.
“We’ve gotten better as the season has gone on,” Brown told the Banner-Herald this week. “I feel great. I’m probably in the best shape physically I’ve been in since before I got hurt. I feel really good.”
The physical health of Brown was on display two weeks ago when he scored six touchdowns and put up 337 total yards in the region championship win against Loganville. Through nine games, the junior has 19 touchdowns and 62 tackles for the 7-2 Dragons.
College coaches have taken notice. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart saw Brown against Clarke Central on Sept. 23. A week later, Tennessee linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary was on hand for the Dragons’ 27-0 win over Winder-Barrow.
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For the No. 7 player in the 2024 recruiting class, Brown has built relationships with both Georgia and Tennessee, who have risen towards the top of his recruitment along with several other powerhouse schools.
“Both schools have very similar aspects in the way that they work and the way they coach, teach,” Brown said. “A lot of (coaches) are very similar. Most of the good teams are going to have similar aspects, but every school is going to have a kick that makes them different.”
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As far as the “kick” or thing that the staff does better than others, Brown said it was really simple for the two SEC East foes. At Tennessee, the focus was on relationships and caring about the players, families and everyone around the program. Georgia’s love of the game of football is something that really stands out for Brown.
“I think all of (Tennessee’s coaches) are very family based,” Brown said. “Coach (Brian Jean-Mary) and all of them are really built around building relationships with the players. They’ve done a great job this year developing kids. When Coach Heupel got the job, a bunch of kids left. With what they’ve got, they’ve done a great job.”
Being just down the road from UGA, Brown has been able to talk more with linebackers coach Glenn Schumann and the rest of the Bulldog coaches. He said because of teh familiarity with Georgia’s staff, Schumann has become “almost like a friend” and it’s not as formal as it might be with newer coaches.
And sharing a passion for football is huge for Brown and his family.
“Everyone on that team loves football with everything they have,” Brown said. “We went and watched a couple practices and it just looks really fun. They were getting after it, players were yelling, coaches were yelling and it just looked fun.”
Brown and his family will be at Saturday’s game between the two Top 3 schools with the SEC East and No. 1 ranking on the line. He’s excited to reconvene with Georgia’s coaches, see fellow recruits from across the country and take in what he expects to be a great game.
But he also isn’t losing sight of the goal to compete for a state championship.
“I definitely try to focus more on high school ball because that’s where I’m at right now,” Brown said. “I’m not at the point where I have to make a decision yet, so I’m really focused on high school ball and performing my best for my teammates. Then I’ll think about what I need to do for colleges and planning trips.”
Georgia vs. Tennessee on the trail
Here are other uncommitted four and five-star recruits from the 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes that are still considering both Georgia and Tennessee:
Five-star ATH KJ Bolden
Class: 2024
School: Buford
Hometown: Buford, Georgia
The Skinny: Has visited all the big schools this season, including Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State and Tennessee
More: Already with offers from UGA, Florida & others, this sophomore is Buford's next star recruit
Four-star OT Daniel Calhoun
Class: 2024
School: Centennial
Hometown: Roswell, Georgia
The Skinny: Took multiple unofficial visits to Tennessee this season as well as trips to Alabama, Clemson, Florida and Georgia for the home opener against Samford
Five-star RB Jerrick Gibson
Class: 2024
School: IMG Academy
Hometown: Gainesville, Florida
The Skinny: Announced a Top 12 on October 4 which included both Georgia and Tennessee and he attended Tennessee’s wins against both Alabama and Florida as well as Georgia-Florida in Jacksonville
Four-star S Jaylen Heyward
Class: 2024
School: Rockledge
Hometown: Rockledge, Florida
The Skinny: Top 6 of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Tennessee, Was in Jacksonville for Georgia-Florida game
Four-star DL Daevin Hobbs
Class: 2023
School: Jay M Robinson
Hometown: Concord, North Carolina
The Skinny: Top 4 of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, Took official visit to Tennessee in September and will be in Athens for his Georgia OV this weekend
Four-star ATH Amari Jefferson
Class: 2024
School: Baylor School
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee
The Skinny: Has visited Knoxville twice this season and was in Sanford Stadium for Georgia’s win against Auburn
Five-star ATH Mike Matthews
Class: 2024
School: Parkview
Hometown: Lilburn, Georgia
The Skinny: Has visited Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and Tennessee this season
Five-star EDGE Samuel M’Pemba
Class: 2023
School: IMG Academy
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
The Skinny: Top 4 of Georgia, LSU, Miami and Tennessee, visited Georgia earlier this season for the Auburn game and was in Knoxville for Tennessee-Alabama, will have official visit this weekend
McClain Baxley is a recruiting reporter for the Athens Banner-Herald and the USA TODAY Network. Reach him by email at mbaxley@onlineathens.com or on Twitter at @mcclainbaxley. Subscribe today to support local journalism.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgia football vs. Tennessee display for recruits like Sammy Brown
