A supremely talented edge rusher, Clemson’s T.J. Parker was recognized by ESPN this week as one of the nation’s best. 

A panel of ESPN reporters ranked the best pass rushers in college football for the 2025 season, and Parker collected 69 points (three of 10 first-place votes), trailing only South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart (94 points; six of 10 first-place votes).

Parker followed up a freshman All-American selection in 2023 with an outstanding sophomore season in 2024, when he earned second-team All-ACC honors after tallying 64 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. 

The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder was the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 nationally in forced fumbles (tied for second), tackles for loss (fifth) and sacks (ninth).

Here’s what ESPN had to say about Parker: 

The 2024 season was a disappointing one for the Clemson pass rush, which had become a staple at the top of the sack standings each year. But if it was a down year, you can’t blame Parker, who blossomed into one of the most fearsome pass rushers in the country, racking up 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss and 6 forced fumbles.

Despite playing without a solid alternative on the other side of the line for much of the season, Parker showed his skills throughout and delivered his best games as Clemson chased down an ACC title, including 12 TFLs from Nov. 9 through the ACC championship game.

Last season, Parker set the Clemson record for forced fumbles in a single season. He also finished tied for second in the nation and tied for the national lead among power conference players in forced fumbles.

Parker’s tackles for loss and sacks totals were both the most by a Clemson player since Clelin Ferrell’s 19.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks in 2018, while Parker’s 11 sacks rank ninth in a season in Clemson history.

A former top-50 national prospect from Alabama, Parker enters the 2025 season credited with 105 tackles (32.0 for loss), 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and three pass breakups over 27 career games (17 starts) in his two-year Tiger career thus far.

Parker landed at No. 9 overall in CBS Sports’ ranking of college football’s top 150 players, while Parker was recently ranked by Pro Football Focus as the No. 3 returning edge defender. 

Clemson’s Peter Woods, who split time between defensive tackle and defensive end last season, just missed ESPN’s pass rushers ranking but was listed among others who received votes (10 points).