“Disruptive” is the word the Clemson football website uses to describe T.J. Parker’s first two seasons with the program, and that word is right on the money. Parker has 105 career tackles, including 32.0 for loss, with 16.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 27 career games (17 starts) from 2023-24.
His six forced fumbles in 2024 set the Clemson record for most forced fumbles in a single season, and his 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023 broke Clemson's true freshman record. And Parker doesn’t seem to be done or satisfied. That’s a good thing for Clemson fans (and the players and coaches) as he enters his junior season.
But the biggest news at defensive end this year is the addition of Will Heldt, a transfer – yes, a transfer – from Purdue. In 24 games during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Heldt, now a junior, had 56 tackles, including 10 for loss, five sacks and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown.
Parker and Heldt are the definite starters, but they could have some help with continued growth from senior Cade Denhoff and junior Jahiem Lawson, who both seem to be ready for bigger roles this season.
And there is more depth behind them with redshirt freshman Darien Mayo and true freshman Ari Watford among others.
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