Image 1: EDGE T.J Parker (3) forcing a fumble on QB C.J Bailey (16)
Height: 6’3
Weight: 265
Position: EDGE
Year: Junior
Background
Image 2: EDGE T.J Parker (3) chasing down WR Deuce Oliver (12)
Born on September 19, 2004, Tomarrion “T.J” Parker was a Four-Star DL prospect in the class of 2023 coming out of Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama. Ranked as the 4th best prospect coming out of Alabama, Parker was pursued heavily by major Power 4 programs like Alabama, Penn State, Georgia, and Clemson. Though initially committed to Penn State, Parker would flip his commitment to Clemson.
As a Tiger, Parker would be worked into Clemson’s edge rotation immediately, where he would play in every game with 3 official starts as a true freshman. After becoming a full-time starter in his sophomore season, Parker would break out with a 51 pressure, 11 sack season that would earn him Second-Team All-ACC honors. Entering 2025, Parker has bulked up to 265 lbs and hopes to build on his resume to raise his draft stock even further.
Athletic Tools
A shorter edge with a dense, thick frame, Parker does not have the size concerns that have plagued many of the top EDGE prospects in recent classes. Though not an exceptional length prospect, Parker has good length for his height which should allow him to avoid being below any notable arm length thresholds. Parker uses his combination of speed, power, and leverage to get under OTs to control the line of scrimmage in the run game and compress pockets as a pass rusher.
Video 1: EDGE T.J Parker (3 on the left) using his size, leverage, and strength to set a firm edge then tackling RB Harlem Berry (22)
Video 2: EDGE T.J Parker (3 on the left) first rushing with speed then switching to power to get a QB hit on QB Anthony Colandrea (10)
Though he has a solid frame, Parker is an average-at-best athlete in terms of his speed, explosion, quickness, and ankle/body flexibility. Despite his size, Parker is surprisingly poor at maintaining his pass rush angle, as he often gets rerouted when contacted by opposing OTs. By lacking high-level athletic tools, Parker has a tendency to stall out when attempting to win with speed around the corner. By lacking the degree of athleticism that is present in the NFL’s premier edge rushers, Parker is unlikely to become a highly productive pass rusher in the NFL.
Video 3: EDGE T.J Parker (3 on the right) lacking the explosion, speed, and flexibility to beat OT Josiah Thompson (74) around the corner
Video 4: EDGE T.J Parker (3 on the left) lacking the explosion to have OT Tyree Adams (71) over-set and bend to maintain his rush angle once he is contacted
Video 5: EDGE T.J Parker (3 on the left) getting an open rush lane while looping and failing to get the sack on QB Carson Beck (15) due to lacking lateral quickness and closing speed
Even though he is unlikely to develop into a high-end NFL pass rusher, Parker’s power, leverage, and frame provide him value as a secondary/tertiary player to an established pass rusher. Though he is not very effective in a two-point stance or when rushing wide, Parker’s leverage and power allow him to shine when rushing with power out of a three-point stance. Beyond allowing him to collapse pockets, Parker’s power and size should let him be an effective crasher on stunts.
Video 6: EDGE T.J Parker (3 on the left) using his power and leverage out of a 3-point stance to push the pocket and sack QB Brock Glenn (11)
Technicals
Despite being high on his physical tools against the run, I have concerns about how Parker defends the run from a technical level. Parker does have great core strength and leverage to be a good edge setter, but he lacks the high-end weight and length that are seen in the league’s best run-defending edge rushers. Given his current issues with consistently getting off blocks and missed tackles, Parker needs major development before he can become a good NFL run defender. However, Parker’s combination of age (he turns 21 during the season) and flashes as a playmaker in the run game makes me high on his ability to become an every down player.
Video 7: EDGE T.J Parker (3 on the left) uses his size to engage the pulling guard then uses his strength and hand placement to shed the block to tackle QB LaNorris Sellers (16)
Video 8: EDGE T.J Parker (3 on the left) uses his strength and hand placement to shed the TE’s block to get a tackle-for-loss on RB Raheim Sanders (5)
Video 9: EDGE T.J Parker (3 on the right) is left unblocked and uses his speed to make a tackle-for-loss on RB Jalen Berger (0)
In terms of his technique as a pass rusher, Parker is primarily winning with his athletic tools, but there are flashes on tape of technique wins. With the usage of a club, a swipe, and a club-rip on tape, Parker is capable of utilizing technique to win at the collegiate level when aligned wide and rushing with speed. Though he is unlikely to utilize these moves heavily in the NFL as he will be aligned tighter, Parker has the power, leverage, and weight to develop an effective plan built around his bull rush with a hump move/forklift as a change-up.
Video 10: EDGE T.J Parker (3 on the left) uses a club move to knock down the outside hand of the OT to sack on QB Henry Hasselbeck (10)
Draft Projection
T.J Parker currently has a third round grade, but there is upside to improve his stock further. With his weight gain this past offseason, Parker becoming even stronger could improve his stock by allowing him to develop a more refined power-oriented pass rush plan. Despite seeing clear paths to improvement, I believe Parker’s lack of high-end athletic tools overall prevent serious first round consideration in my eyes.
Athletic Testing
Will be updated after the NFL Combine/Clemson Pro Day
Pro Comparison
Image 3: EDGE Josh Paschal (93) recovering a fumble against the Chicago Bears
Though his production and age profile as a college prospect were different, Josh Paschal is a prime example of the type of player that T.J Parker projects as in the NFL. A thick and stocky edge rusher that lacks high-end athleticism or length for the position, Paschal is a power-first player who provides value as a pass rusher by pushing pockets and crashing on stunts, which allows for easier rush opportunities for Detroit’s premier pass rushers in Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeil. Paschal may take more of a supportive role as a pass rusher, but he is an individual force in the run game as his strength and leverage allows him to set extremely firm edges. Though he is not a star or an ideal full-time starter, Paschal is a good example of a player with Parker’s athletic and physical profile that has carved a meaningful role in the NFL as a former day two selection.
Date Published: 9/10/2025
Date Last Updated: 9/10/2025
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