It’s official. One of the top athletes in the country, who is also a 5-star football recruit, earns the top honors on the wrestling mat. Sammy Brown is named BLITZ Wrestler of the Year.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 34-2
• State Champion
• Region Champion

Sammy Brown was the undisputed state champion, as the 220-lb sophomore went 34-2 overall and marched his way to a state title. Brown has another 2 years to continue to build his case as one of the best 3-sport stars we’ve seen (football, wrestling, track & field).

VOTING RESULTS

1. Sammy Brown – 72 pts (10 1st-place votes)
2. Hoke Poe-Hogan – 61.5 (7)
3. Davis Dendy – 46 (2)
4. Jacob Voyles – 20
5. Colby Watson – 16
6. Davin Lightsey – 12.5

Voting included our 19-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts

It wasn’t a given, as Brown did have to hold off Hoke Poe-Hogan and his 7 1st-place tallies. Davis Dendy, a teammate of Brown’s, also grabbed a couple of 1st-place votes.

HISTORY OF BOYS WOY

• 2021-22 – Sammy Brown – Jefferson SO
• 2020-21 – Devin Sullens – White Co SR
• 2019-20 – Nolan Wheeler – Lumpkin Co SR
• 2018-19 – Ryan Hurd – Jefferson SR
• 2017-18 – Chase Forrester – Commerce SR
• 2016-17 – Zach Matthews – Lumpkin Co SR
• 2015-16 – Zach Matthews – Lumpkin Co JR
• 2014-15 – Chris McCrackin – Banks Co JR
• 2013-14 – Chance McClure – Commerce SR
• 2012-13 – Chance McClure – Commerce JR
• 2011-12 – Coleman Cunningham – Habersham Central SR
• 2010-11 – Caleb Morris – White Co JR
• 2009-10 – Caleb Morris – White Co SO

Brown becomes the first Jefferson wrestler since Ryan Hurd to claim the honors, and the first non-senior since Zach Matthews of Lumpkin won it as a junior in 2015-16. Only one other sophomore has won the award, that being the very first-ever BLITZ WOY award that went to White County’s Caleb Morris.

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?