TJ Parker will return to the Clemson Tigers next fall, providing head coach Dabo Swinney a defensive building brick. There is little doubt that Clemson’s defense must improve in 2025 if the Tigers are to challenge for the national championship. That’s why Tiger fans were overjoyed when they received the news on Friday.
Star defensive end T.J. Parker confirmed on X that he will return to Clemson next year. In a post featuring a.GIF of WWE professional wrestler Roman Reigns proclaiming “The Big Dog is Back” Parker boosted Clemson’s offseason.
In 2024, as a sophomore, the Alabama native was the Tigers’ most disruptive defensive player. He made 64 tackles and 19.5
For loss. In addition, he led the team with 11.0 sacks and forced six fumbles, setting a program record. Parker’s tackle for loss and sack totals were the most by a Clemson Tiger since Clelin Ferrell’s 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 2018. He started every game of the 2024 season and was named second-team All-ACC.
Let’s run it back! Clemson picture.twitter.com/ScIFVPfApP
• Tomarrion “TJ” Parker (@tomarrion) Dec. 28, 2024.
Parker was one of the nation’s finest rookies in 2023, recording 32 tackles and 5.5 sacks. This confirmed his status as a four-star recruit and the No. 6 defensive lineman in the class of 2023.
In 2024, as a sophomore, the Alabama native was the Tigers’ most disruptive defensive player. He made 64 tackles, including 19.5 for loss. In addition, he led the team with 11.0 sacks and forced six fumbles, setting a program record.
Parker’s tackle for loss and sack totals were the most by a Clemson Tiger since Clelin Ferrell’s 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 2018. He started every game of the 2024 season and was named second-team All-ACC. Parker was one of the nation’s finest rookies in 2023, recording 32 tackles and 5.5 sacks. This confirmed his status as a four-star recruit and the No. 6 defensive lineman in the class of 2023.
In 2024, Clemson was strong as a team.
To go after rival quarterbacks. Parker’s exploits helped the Tigers rank 26th nationally in sacks per game, with 2.6. The closest player on the roster to Parker in terms of sacks was true freshman inside linebacker Sammy Brown, who had 5.0. Meanwhile, Barrett Carter was the next closest defensive lineman or edge rusher in sacks, with 3.0, demonstrating Parker’s importance to the defense this season.
In fact, Parker accounted for 31.4% of Clemson’s 35 total sacks in 2024. This makes him one of the program’s most essential returns in 2025. Of course, the Tigers’ run defense needs to improve, as evidenced by their College Football Playoff loss to Texas. However, defending the pass will always be critical in the modern era of the game, and with Parker back in the mix for another season, the Tigers should be able to put plenty of pressure on opposing signal callers next fall as they look to return to the top of the college football mountain.
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