Tag: t.j. parker

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.

Clemson’s Defensive X-Factor for Week 12 vs. North Carolina

Clemson will need a strong pass rush to slow down North Carolina’s star quarterback, Drake Maye.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers look to continue their strong run Saturday as the No.22 North Carolina Tar Heels travel to Death Valley for a 2022 ACC Championship game rematch. 

For this Clemson team to be successful against the Tar Heels, they’ll have to shut down North Carolina’s high-powered offense led by star quarterback Drake Maye. As one of the best quarterbacks in college football and a projected top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Maye is a player who can take over a game and pick apart a defense. 

If Clemson wants to slow Maye down, their pass rush must perform at a high level. That leads us to our Defensive X-Factor for the matchup, freshman edge rusher T.J. Parker. Parker has slowed down a bit after an incredible start to this season, as offensive lines have been forced to pay him more attention. 

Parker hasn’t recorded a sack in four weeks, and there is no better time for the young defensive end to record a big one than against one of the game’s best. Watch out for Parker this Saturday; he will be key to the Tigers’ success. 

Clemson statistical leaders through eight games

Who scares you most on the Tigers?

This hasn’t been the season Clemson or any outsiders envisioned. While not everyone was anticipating another national championship, it’s doubtful anyone expected that by this point, the Tigers wouldn’t even been receiving votes in polls. A bowl isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but if November is a very bad month for the Tigers, it’s probable they’ll be watching bowl season at home. Talk about dropping off.

All of that said, there still is some talent on this Tigers team, especially on defense. If anything, these players are remnants of a time in the recent past when the Tigers were feared. Many might have picked Notre Dame to lose Saturday’s game at the start of the season, but that no longer is a certainty. This is why you play the games though: You never know what can happen.

Here are the Tigers most likely to have an impact when they face the Irish:

Three Tigers named midseason true freshman All-Americans by 247Sports

Clemson’s true freshmen have been phenomenal this season.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson coaching staff did fine work recruiting in the 2023 class, as they brought in multiple new Tigers who have had an immediate impact on the team. 

On both sides of the ball, we’ve seen true freshmen earn playing time and perform at a high level. Without multiple of these new Tigers, this Clemson team would be in a lot worse shape than many would expect heading into this season.

At the midseason point, 247Sports released their true freshmen All-Americans, with three Tigers making the team. Here is a look at each of those three Tigers and what writer Chris Hummer had to say about them.

Grading Clemson’s defense at the halfway point of the season

Clemson’s defense has been near elite this season, grading out well.

Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and the Clemson defense have had a near-elite start to this 2023 season, with the unit looking like one of the best in the country through six games.

Clemson (4-2, 2-2 ACC) has had an up-and-down season, and two losses were not expected out of this team in the first half of the season. Even so, this Clemson defense has been this team’s most impressive and consistent part.

From veteran stars playing at a high level to freshmen bursting onto the scene and making a name for themselves, this unit has had some excellent performances. It is yet another top-tier defense from this program.

Here is a grade for each part of Clemson’s defense at the halfway point of this season.