Clemson’s freshmen class has proven to be productive early in their time with the Tigers, with defensive end T.J. Parker being among the top performers so far this season.
Through five games this season, Parker has made his presence felt as the Tiger’s most productive defensive lineman. Over 140 snaps, the young defensive end leads the team in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (3) as a disruptive force on this Clemson defense.
During Dabo Swinney’s weekly press conference on Tuesday, the head coach was asked about what has made Parker so productive so far for the Tigers. Like freshman wide receiver Tyler Brown, it comes down to maturity.
“Same thing I would say with Tyler Brown – maturity, number one,” Swinney said. “I think you have to really have just an abnormal level of maturity for an 18-year-old, first of all, to be able to prepare and absorb and translate everything that’s going on. There’s just a lot. The fact that he came in January certainly has helped him because I think he was able to really take advantage of the off-season program. He got a lot bigger and a lot stronger.”
Parker has been a revelation for this Clemson defense, and the need was clearly there. He has been the Tigers’ top pass rusher and has taken advantage of every opportunity given and earned.
Swinney didn’t stop there, sharing praise for the entire freshmen class.
“It all goes back to his maturity and what’s inside him. He’s got a will to win, a will to prepare that’s unique as a freshman,” Swinney said. “It’s the same as Tyler Brown, same as Khalil Barnes, same as Peter Woods. That whole group, some of them you see, and you know right now. Some of them you don’t. Like, let me tell ya, ole (A.J.) Hoffler is going to be a player. (David) Ojiegbe, those are kids you haven’t really seen much yet. Jamal Anderson, Dee Crayton, Avieon (Terrell), Shelton (Lewis), (Branden) Strozier — I mean, we’ve got a whole group of guys. Robert Billings, Kylen Webb, there’s a bunch of guys in that class that we are super, super excited about.”
Swinney and his staff did a great job with this group.