T.J. Parker
Buffalo BillsOur College Grade
How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.
College Production
Clemson · ACC
| Season | Tkl | TFL | Sacks | Hur | PD | Pos Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 32 | 12 | 5.5 | 5 | 1 | 46 |
| 2024 | 50 | 16 | 11.0 | 5 | 1 | 11 |
| 2025 | 37 | 9 | 5.0 | 7 | 1 | 48 |
The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.
Scouting Report
Clemson · 2026 draft class
T.J. Parker is a powerful, physical edge defender whose combination of size, strength, and relentless motor made him one of college football's most productive pass rushers over his first two seasons at Clemson. At 6'3", 260 pounds, Parker arrived as a four-star recruit from Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama, initially committing to Penn State before flipping to Clemson. He made an immediate impact as a true freshman in 2023, setting Clemson's freshman tackles-for-loss record with 13 TFLs and 5.5 sacks en route to Freshman All-American honors. His 2024 breakout campaign was even more impressive: 57 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and six forced fumbles-establishing the school's single-season forced fumble record. His legendary performance against Pitt-5 TFLs and 4 sacks in a single game-matched school records held by Keith Adams and Andre Branch. However, Parker's 2025 junior season saw significan't regression, as he recorded just 39 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 5 sacks while battling inconsistent motor and efficiency issues. His defining trait remains his heavy hands that generate explosive initial contact, putting offensive linemen on skates immediately. Parker's pass rush arsenal includes one-armed stabs, rips, two-handed swipes, long-arms, speed-to-power conversions, and polished cross-chops. He exits Clemson ranked 10th in career sacks (21.5) with 144 career tackles and 41.5 TFLs across 39 games.
Strengths
- Heavy hands that generate explosive initial contact and put linemen on skates
- Uses one-armed stab to create quick separation early in plays
- Diverse pass rush arsenal including rips
- two-handed swipes
- long-arms
- and cross-chops
- Can bull back opposing offensive tackles with power
- Good use of hands and takes proper angles to the backfield
- Locks out and uses length well to set the edge
- Excellent production history with 21.5 career sacks and school forced fumble record
Concerns
- Lacks consistent explosive first step to generate quick wins
- Limited speed to win around the tackle's outside shoulder
- Approache's blockers with pad level too high at times
- Lacks hip flexibility to bend and flatten around the corner
- Motor tends to be up and down with concerning effort in pursuit
- 2025 junior season regression raises questions about consistency
- Does not come off the ball with elite twitch
- Stock has fallen significan'tly during junior year
Honors
Freshman All-American (2023); Clemson freshman TFL record; Single-season forced fumble record (2024); 10th in Clemson career sacks; 4-star recruit