Tag: t.j. parker

Clemson football’s offensive explosion has fueled T.J. Parker and the defense

Clemson’s defense is being fueled by the offense.

Clemson made a statement with a commanding 59-35 win over NC State, showcasing both offensive firepower and defensive dominance. The Tigers took control early, jumping out to a 28-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, largely thanks to their defense creating two critical turnovers that immediately set up touchdowns for Cade Klubnik and the offense. By halftime, the Wolfpack had only managed one touchdown, and Clemson had held them to just 29 rushing yards.

T.J. Parker’s strip sack in the first quarter ignited the defense, giving Clemson the ball deep in NC State territory. Five plays later, Klubnik connected with Antonio Williams for a two-yard touchdown, further extending Clemson’s lead. Parker was thrilled with how the team clicked on both sides of the ball.

“I love seeing it go hand-in-hand,” he said. “We work hard together, and it’s great to see both the offense and defense thriving.”

According to Parker, Clemson’s defense didn’t need to rely on offensive success to stay motivated. “Even if [the offense] went three-and-out, we’re still going to have that same energy. We love playing football,” he explained.
Parker believes the improved play of Clemson’s offense has only made the defense stronger. “Iron sharpens iron,” he said. “They work hard, and it pushes us to get better too.”

The Tigers will look to keep their momentum going as they prepare to host Stanford next Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

T.J. Parker loved hearing NC State’s trash talk ‘fade away’ in beatdown win

NC State’s trash talk faded fast.

Clemson football made a statement on Saturday, dominating NC State in a 59-35 win at Death Valley. After last year’s tough loss in Raleigh, the Tigers jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, leading 59-14 by the end of the third. Although NC State added some late points against Clemson’s backups, the outcome was never in doubt.

Sophomore defensive end T.J. Parker was a standout, recording two sacks and forcing his first career fumble. Reflecting on the game, Parker shared, “They were talking trash and stuff like that. Nothing’s better than whooping up on them all game and hearing the trash talk slowly fade away.”

The defense was key in setting the tone early, with two first-quarter fumbles and a 53-yard interception return for a touchdown by freshman cornerback Ashton Hampton. “That’s how you know you got ’em,” Parker said of silencing NC State’s smack talk throughout the game.

Clemson got their revenge on Saturday.

Clemson football’s defensive player of the game after a dominant win over NC State

Clemson’s defense wasn’t perfect, but it was still a strong performance.

It wasn’t a perfect day for the Clemson defense, but the Tigers looked strong for most of the game when the starters were in with a superstar on the defensive line dominating the Tigers 59 to 35 win over NC State.

Sophomore defensive end T.J. Parker was the Tigers’ defensive player of the game on Saturday, as he looked like the best defensive player on either team. Parker was a menace in the first half, wreaking havoc and ultimately drawing a lot of attention early.

Parker ended the game with five total tackles, three of them being solo tackles. The sophomore edge rusher shined exactly where you want him to, in the pass rush. Parker recorded two sacks, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble as the Wolfpack’s offensive line had no answers for him.

Parker will look to continue his hot run in Week 5 against Stanford, and his job could be easier with Peter Woods’s possible return from injury.

https://twitter.com/NFL_DF/status/1837530634836713636

Seven Clemson Tigers make list of Top 150 college football players for 2024 season

Barrett Carter and Peter Woods were the two highest-ranked Clemson players on CBS Sports’ list, which also included T.J. Parker, Demonte Capehart, Phil Mafah, Khalil Barnes and Blake Miller.

CBS Sports unveiled its rankings of the Top 151 college football players entering the 2024 season Monday. Seven Clemson players made the list.

As with ESPN’s rankings last week, senior linebacker Barrett Carter was the Tigers’ top-ranked player at No. 24 overall. Carter ranked one spot ahead of Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison and one spot below Ole Miss receiver Tre Harris on CBS Sports’ list.

College football analyst Blake Brockermeyer said of Carter:

“A versatile three-down ‘backer who likes to play in the opponent’s backfield, Barrett is an explosive and high-ceiling talent who has enormous potential and upside as a former 5-star recruit. A converted high school safety prospect, Carter has the ability to match up vs. tight ends and backs in coverage and did not allow a touchdown last season. He missed too many tackles, 12, last season in the box and can do a better job of finishing in the run game. Cleaning that up is likely a big reason he returned for his senior season. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is gone, now it’s Carter’s turn to be the star of Clemon’s defense.”

ESPN had Carter ranked as the No. 15 overall player in college football. The Peach State native has been named to various preseason All-America teams and award watch lists, including the Butkus Award, the Bednarik Award and the Wuerffel Trophy.

In three seasons with the Tigers, Carter is credited with 170 tackles (21 for loss), nine sacks, 15 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 38 games.

Carter was the highest-ranked ACC player on CBS Sports’ list, which also included defensive tackle Peter Woods (No. 76 overall), defensive lineman T.J. Parker (No. 78), defensive tackle Demonte Capehart (No. 98), running back Phil Mafah (No. 109), safety Khalil Barnes (No. 116) and offensive tackle Blake Miller (No. 138).

Woods has been on various preseason All-America teams and watch lists, including the Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

CBS Sports ranked Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter the No. 1 overall player in the nation entering the 2024 season.

Follow us @Clemson_Wire on X and on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news, notes and commentary.

T.J. Parker tabbed as a player who will break out in 2024

T.J. Parker was great as a freshman and could be one of the best defenders in the country in 2024.

Clemson football’s 2023 class wasn’t rated as highly as some of the previous recruiting classes, but it played at an incredibly high level and proved to be one of the best in the country when the season wrapped up.

There were standout freshmen across the team, with many coming on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end T.J. Parker, in particular, was a revelation for this Clemson defense. A four-star recruit in the 2023 class, Parker ranked as the No. 49 player and No. 6 defensive lineman in the country. He may have been a four-star, but he played like a five-star player. 

Bleacher Report recently released an article naming defensive players they believe will break out in 2024, with Parker making the list. 

Parker has the potential to be among the great Tigers defensive linemen such as Myles Murphy, Bryan Bresee, Dexter Lawrence, Da’Quan Bowers, Clelin Ferrell, Christian Wilkins, Vic Beasley and other standouts from the Swinney era.

During his first season, he was credited with 41 tackles (12.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 13 games, breaking Murphy’s freshman school record for tackles for loss despite just three starts.

Now, he could be primed for an All-America campaign in ’24, which will put him on the level of guys like Bain and Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr. as impact playmakers from his class.

Clemson needed someone to step on the edge last season, and the freshman did it. Expectations were for Parker to be good, but his immediate impact and high level of play far exceeded those expectations.

Parker may be the most exciting player to watch on this defense next season.

Three Tigers earn Freshman All-American honors

Clemson’s freshman class was one of the best in the country in 2023.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did a phenomenal job recruiting their 2023 class, with multiple true freshmen having a tremendous impact on their team. 

On Tuesday, three of these Tigers were recognized by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) as they announced their 2023 Freshman All-America Team. Of the 32 members, the Tigers and Georgia led the way with three selections. 

Peter Woods was the Tigers’ top recruit in the class, and he played like it. The defensive tackle was credited with 27 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a forced fumble in 307 snaps over 12 games (two starts). He was a force inside for the Tigers. 

T.J. Parker, on the other hand, was the Tigers’ top-edge rusher this season as a true freshman. Parker was credited with 41 tackles (12.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 457 snaps over 13 games (three starts). His 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023 broke Clemson’s true freshman record (12.0 by Myles Murphy in 2020) and tied for the national lead among freshmen.

In the secondary, safety Khalil Barnes was a massive contributor. Barens was the first Clemson player in the Dabo Swinney era to record multiple forced fumbles and multiple interceptions in a freshman season. In 2023, he was credited with 41 tackles (5.0 for loss), six pass breakups, a team-high three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery (which he returned 42 yards for a touchdown) in 499 snaps over 13 games (seven starts). 

Below is a look at the full list of freshman All-Americans.

OFFENSE (13)

QB Noah Fifita, Arizona (5-11, 195, RFr., Huntington Beach, Calif.)
RB Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan (5-11, 210, RFr., Aurora, Ill.)
RB Makhi Hughes, Tulane (5-11, 205, RFr., Birmingham, Ala.)
WR Nic Anderson, Oklahoma (6-4, 207, RFr., Katy, Texas)
WR Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii (6-2, 175, Fr., Euless, Texas)
WR Eric Singleton Jr., Georgia Tech (5-11, 173, Fr., Douglasville, Ga.)
WR Eugene Wilson III, Florida (5-10, 170, Fr., Tampa, Fla.)
TE Arlis Boardingham, Florida (6-3, 248, RFr., Van Nuys, Calif.)
T Earnest Greene III, Georgia (6-4, 320, RFr., Los Angeles, Calif.)
T Francis Mauigoa, Miami (6-6, 330, Fr., Ili’ili, American Samoa)
G Cayden Green, Oklahoma (6-5, 316, Fr., Lee’s Summit, Mo.)
G Shadre Hurst, Tulane (6-2, 305, RFr., Cartersville, Ga.)
C Parker Brailsford, Washington (6-2, 275, Mesa, Ariz.)

DEFENSE (14)

DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (6-3, 270, Fr., Miami, Fla.)
DL TJ Bush, Liberty (6-2, 255, Fr., Woodridge, Va.)
DL Nate Johnson, App State (6-5, 230, Fr., Gaffney, S.C.)
DL T.J. Parker, Clemson (6-3, 255, Fr., Phenix City, Ala.)
DL Peter Woods, Clemson (6-2, 315, Fr., Alabaster, Ala.)
LB CJ Allen, Georgia (6-1, 235, Fr., Barnesville, Ga.)
LB Anthony Hill, Texas (6-3, 234, Fr., Denton, Texas)
LB Ben Roberts, Texas Tech (6-3, 230, RFr., Haslet, Texas)
LB Cade Uluave, California (6-1, 230, Fr., South Jordan, Utah)
CB D’Angelo Ponds, James Madison (5-9, 162, Fr., West Park, Fla.)
CB Raion Strader, Miami (Ohio) (6-0, 180, Fr., Pittsburgh, Pa.)
S Khalil Barnes, Clemson (6-0, 195, Fr., Athens, Ga.)
S Caleb Downs, Alabama, 6-0 (203, Fr., Hoschton, Ga.)
S Dillon Thieneman, Purdue (6-0, 205, Fr., Westfield, Ind.)

SPECIALISTS (5)

K Peyton Woodring, Georgia (5-10, 175, Fr., Lafayette, La.)
P Ryan Eckley, Michigan State (6-2, 205, RFr., Lithia, Fla.)
KR DeAndre Buchannon, Georgia Southern (5-11, 175, Fr., Atlanta, Ga.)
PR Zacharia Branch, USC (5-10, 175, Fr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
AP Kevin “KC” Concepcion, NC State (5-11, 187, Fr., Charlotte, N.C.)

Schools: Clemson 3, Georgia 3, Florida 2, Miami 2, Oklahoma 2, Tulane 2, Alabama 1, App State 1, Arizona 1, California 1, Georgia Southern 1, Georgia Tech 1, Hawaii 1, James Madison 1, Liberty 1, Miami (Ohio) 1, Michigan State 1, NC State 1, Purdue 1, Texas 1, Texas Tech 1, USC 1, Washington 1, Western Michigan 1.

Conferences: ACC 7, SEC 6, Big 12 4, Pac-12 4, Sun Belt 3, American Athletic 2, Big Ten 2, Mid-American 2, CUSA 1, Mountain West 1, Independents 0.

True Freshmen: 22; Redshirt Freshmen: 10.

Clemson star freshman makes a number change

Clemson’s star freshman, TJ Parker, is changing his number.

Clemson’s No.3 has been dawned for a long time by Xavier Thomas, whose time with the Tigers came to an end after the Tigers’ 38-35 Gator Bowl win over Kentucky.

With Thomas on his way out of the program, the No.3 will stay on the defensive line and go to another standout who is looking to build a legacy of his own in the program. Standout pass rusher TJ Parker confirmed via X (Twitter) that he is transitioning from the No.12 he wore his freshman year to No.3.

While I doubt it was the intention of the two players, it is, in a way, a passing of the torch from Thomas to Parker. In 2024, there are no doubts that Parker will be the Tigers’ top pass rusher and one of the most essential pieces of Clemson’s defense.

Two Tigers named ESPN Freshman All-Americans

Two Clemson players have been named to ESPN’s freshman All-America team.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching crew nailed it with their 2023 recruiting class. They pulled in one of the top 2023 college football classes, and the results were clear this season with outstanding performances from the rookies.

From offense to defense, the new guys really shined, bringing their A-game to the field. Despite the temptation to grab experienced players from the transfer portal, Swinney stuck with his young guns, and boy, did they deliver. While the Tigers didn’t have the season they hoped for, they showed the future is bright with the talent they added to the program.

Two of these freshmen, in particular, were recognized on ESPN’s College Football 2023 Freshman All-America team. Here is a look at those two Tigers and what writer Tom Luginbill had to say about them.

Clemson led the country in snaps played by freshmen in 2023

According to PFF, Clemson had the most snaps played by freshmen this season in the country.

As you all know by now, Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did a phenomenal job recruiting their 2023 class, and it showed on the field this season.

Left and right, we saw freshmen playing at a high level and contributing significantly. Freshmen were making plays, whether it was Peter Woods and T.J. Parker on the defensive line or Khalil Barnes and Avieon Terrell in the secondary.

According to PFF, Clemson actually had the most snaps played by freshmen this season, and it was by a wide margin. Clemson freshmen played 3,991 snaps this season, with the next closest being rivals South Carolina with 3,147. There is no note of whether this only includes Power 5 teams or not, only that the Tigers lead.

One thing to note is that they do contradict themselves here. While they listed Clemson as No.1, they’ve also said Iowa State freshmen have played 4,896 snaps this season, which is a good bit more than Clemson. It is a bit confusing with the lack of clarification on whether this list is solely limited to true freshmen or not.

Regardless, Clemson freshmen balled this season, and the future is bright for this program.

Three Clemson defenders named 247Sports true freshman All-Americans

Clemson’s 2023 recruiting class was stacked, with three defenders earning 247Sports True Freshman All-American honors.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did something really, really well throughout 2022-2023. They recruited one of the best 2023 classes in all of college football, and it showed this season with the tremendous play of this freshman class. 

All over the field and on both sides of the ball, we saw true freshmen step up and play some excellent football for this program. While many wanted the Tigers to soak up talent in the portal, Swinney opted to let this freshman class prove their worth, and they did that and then some. 

Three Tigers freshmen, in particular, stood out the most. Three Clemson defenders made 247Sports’ true freshman All-America team on Tuesday.

Here is a look at each of those three and what writer Chris Hummer had to say about them.