Former NFL Scout Not Sold on Clemson’s T.J. Parker

Clemson defensive end/edge rusher T.J. Parker is receiving a lot of early hype ⎯

How much hype?

He is the top-rated defensive prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.

How ’bout me, am I singing with the choir on this one?

No.

Why not?

When I turn on the tape of the “top-rated defensive prospect,” I expect to be blown away.

I wasn’t.

Don’t get me wrong, he sure looks the part, and he had his moments, but he wasn’t dominant enough for my tastes.

His full body of work, all things considered, was decent.

Decent isn’t top-10

Concrete physical limitations

• Above-average speed
• Hip-tightness

Those two traits alone knock him out of the elite prospect conversation.

Both of those traits also showed up on film repeatedly, and they likely will not change this upcoming season.

He is what he is.

Parker has good acceleration, but when he had unblocked straight-line routes to the quarterback, he couldn’t get there in time, even at the college level. He also labored a little to make quick, unexpected changes of direction.

Limited pass rush toolbox

When Parker wins, he wins with his natural brute power, and he wins with leverage (or when left clean) against less talented offensive tackles on average teams.

Parker flashed a head fake a couple of times, swiped an offensive tackle’s hands once, and showed one robotic-looking spin move. He also predictably rushed to the outside a majority of the time.

Underachiever

Nothing hurt Parker more than Parker and his inconsistent motor.

Parker FLASHED a fast first step vs Virginia Tech. He FLASHED the ability to take over a game ONE TIME at the end of the Pitt game. He played like he was possessed at the end of that Pitt game.

Parker FLASHED a quick twitch at the point of attack vs. South Carolina. He FLASHED a ghost move one time vs. Pitt. He FLASHED a bull rush a few times.

The point is, Parker is capable of more than he showed most of the time.

NFL Projection

Parker looks like an NFL bust if he goes in the first round. I love that he’s a devastating hitter and tackler, but that’s only one part of his game.

“How’s he going to win against NFL offensive tackles?”

That’s the question that kept going through my mind during my film study.

⎯ Because he’s not going to find the same type of middling matchups in the NFL, and he’s not going to find the same kind of leverage either. That’s my biggest concern. He all but disappeared against Texas.

Parker has the build of an undersized defensive tackle.

That’s a tough ask.

#3 T.J. Parker 6-foot-3, 265 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Summer Grade: Second-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of July 8, 2025

2024 game film evaluated: Georgia, Appalachian State, North Carolina State, Stanford, FSU, Wake Forest, Virginia, Louisville, Virginia Tech, PITT, The Citadel, South Carolina, SMU, and Texas (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

A prospect with a passive-aggressive alpha demeanor. Has a soft side that shows up on film. There is a noticeable switch that only gets turned on when someone upsets him. Flip flops from side to side. Stands up sometimes. Hand down in the dirt most of the time. Long arms. Uses hands well at the point of attack. Stuck dancing with offensive tackles on the perimeter of the pocket too often. Once in a while will run an “X” stunt and get a free and clean alley. Opportunistic when quarterbacks climb the pocket or roll out to his side, which cuts down on the ground he needs to cover. He got a number of his sacks that way. Crushes quarterbacks when he can get to them. Jarring hitter. Can create fumbles. Gets fooled and bites on any kind of misdirection plays. Occasionally drops into short zones in coverage. Inconsistent shedding run blocks. Hammers running backs when he gets himself in position.

What to watch for during the 2025 college football season

1. Motor?

2. Pass rush moves?

3. How does he look against good offensive tackles?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. Featured in USA Today. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.