2026 NFL Draft scouting report: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

The pass rush group in the 2026 NFL Draft is among the deepest positional groups this year. You're going to be able to find early contributors on day two and potentially into day three. One prospect who will likely hear his name called on day two is Clemson's T.J. Parker. His teammate, defensive tackle Peter Woods, gets a lot of the hype, but Parker is no slouch himself.

Let's talk about it.

Parker, a former four-star recruit out of Central High School in Phenix City, Alabama, was a top 50 prospect in the 2023 class, where he originally committed to Penn State in late 2022, but would flip to Clemson in early 2023. Parker would set records as a true freshman, posting 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, earning Freshman All-American honors. He would finish his Tigers career with 21.5 sacks, 11 coming in his sophomore season.

T.J. Parker is the bull in a china shop-type player in the 2026 NFL Draft. He has nasty hands that land with mean intent, and his vise-like grip gives him pull counter moves that are second to none in this class. He's a turnover machine, with six(!) forced fumbles in 2024. Parker does a great job setting the edge and not budging once he does, thanks to the massive power in his legs. Eyes always stay up and in the backfield, which are pluses for both run defense and dropping into coverage on occasion. He takes great angles at the quarterback when scrambling, which is not always seen with other prospects.

Parker is not the quickest prospect in the class in terms of a 10-yard split or getting out of his stance. His first step is a tick slower than you'd like. When the play is away from him, this lack of speed shows as he is a non-factor, not due to lack of effort, though. Not that it comes up a ton, but the open field opportunities need work. He almost swipes at the runner more than looking to form a tackle. He has a great pull counter, but outside of that, the arsenal is a bit lacking.

T.J. Parker is a fascinating prospect. At just 21 years old, 22 in September, there is still ample time to refine some of the tools at his disposal. The traits he has now are more than enough to comfortably give him a second-round grade, and could turn into a productive player sooner rather than later.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 2026 NFL Draft scouting report on Clemson Edge T.J. Parker