T.J. Parker

NFL Draft Profile: T.J. Parker

Position: Defensive End / EDGE | School: Clemson

Class: Junior | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 265 lbs | Archetype: Balance

College Career Summary

T.J. Parker established himself as one of the most technically sound defensive ends in the country the moment he stepped onto campus. After a freshman All-American campaign in 2023, he followed it up with a historic 2024 season, setting a Clemson record with 6 forced fumbles and leading the team with 11 sacks. His 2025 season was a study in consistency and "dirty work"; while his sack totals dipped early due to increased attention and double-teams, his impact remained elite. He concluded the 2025 regular season by tying a school record with 3 sacks against South Carolina, essentially "mic-dropping" on his college career before declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. Parker leaves Clemson as a top-10 career sack leader (21.5) and a refined power rusher ready for the pro game.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 39 (29 Starts)

• Total Tackles: 144 (39 in 2025)

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 41.5 (9.5 in 2025)

• Sacks: 21.5 (5.0 in 2025)

• Forced Fumbles: 6 (All in 2024)

• Fumble Recoveries: 6 (Team-high 3 in 2025)

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
vs. LSU	3 Tkl, 1 PBU	B	Stout run defense against elite OTs; limited pass-rush impact.
vs. Troy	4 Tkl, 1.0 Sack	B+	First sack of the year; showed good Acceleration.
@ Georgia Tech	3 Tkl	B-	Disciplined edge setting; faced constant chip blocks.
vs. Syracuse	3 Tkl, 1.0 Sack	B+	Bounce-back game; capitalized on a power-to-rip move.
@ North Carolina	3 Tkl, 2.0 TFL	A-	Attributes on display; terrorized the backfield early.
@ Boston College	2 Tkl, 1 FR	B	High IQ to track and recover a loose ball.
vs. SMU	7 Tkl, 0.5 TFL	B+	Season-high in tackles; absolute High Motor performance.
vs. Duke	3 Tkl	C+	Struggled with Duke's quick release; missed one tackle.
vs. Florida State	1 Tkl, 1 PBU	B	Batted a critical 3rd-down pass; unselfish gap play.
@ Louisville	3 Tkl	B	Fought through a physical game; maintained edge contain.
vs. Furman	1 Tkl	B	Limited snaps in a blowout; stayed assignment-sound.
@ South Carolina	4 Tkl, 3.0 Sacks	A+	Season Best. Tied record for most sacks vs. Gamecocks.
Bowl: Penn State	DNP	N/A	Opted out/Injured; did not play in the season finale.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Technical Polish: Parker is widely considered one of the "cleanest" prospects. His Technique is advanced; he uses violent hands and an effective long-arm move that resets the line of scrimmage.

• Elite Power Profile: At 265 lbs, his functional strength allows him to "forklift" tackles and drive them into the lap of the QB. He is a premier Run Stopper and an elite Balance rusher.

• Turnover Magnet: His 6 forced fumbles and 6 recoveries prove he has a "Star" knack for finding the ball and changing game momentum.

• High Floor: Scouts view him as a "plug-and-play" starter. He is medically clean and has played nearly 1,700 high-level ACC snaps without significant regression.

Weaknesses

• Lacks "Twitch": He is not a "speed-around-the-arc" rusher. His first step is good but not elite, and he doesn't possess the explosive bend of a David Bailey.

• Sack Consistency: Outside of the South Carolina explosion, his 2025 sack production was sporadic. He can sometimes get stalemated if his initial power move is neutralized.

• Secondary Moves: Needs to continue developing his "bag" when his primary bull-rush fails. He relies heavily on power and could benefit from better pass-rush angles.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Base 4-3 DE or a 3-4 5-Technique.

NFL Comparison: Bradley Chubb / Anfernee Jennings

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 19/20 | Physical Tools: 17/20 | Attributes: 19/20 | Athleticism: 16/20 | IQ: 18/20

Final Grade: 89/100

T.J. Parker is the ultimate "safe" pick for a team needing defensive line stability. He won't wow you with a 4.4 forty-yard dash, but he will dominate the point of attack and play 60 snaps of high-quality, disciplined football. His performance against South Carolina reminded the world of his "ceiling," but his consistency against the run is what makes him a first-round lock. Given the high positional value of EDGE defenders, Parker’s technical floor makes him an ideal candidate for a team drafting in the back half of the first round.

Draft Projection: 1st Round (Mid-to-Late)