TJ Parker admits loss to Texas motivated him in offseason: 'That kind of stuck right there'

The Clemson Tigers were able to force their way into the College Football Playoff last season, but ultimately fell there to the Texas Longhorns. Now, with increased expectations in 2025, edge rusher TJ Parker shared he’s using that game as motivation.

Parker addressed that game during the 2025 ACC Football Kickoff. There, he explained that the loss stuck with him. Now, he’s taken that energy to make it something to motivate his improvement as a player.

“Obviously, we didn’t get the job done against Texas, and that kind of stuck right there.” TJ Parker said. “And, for me, I’m always big on getting better.”

Clemson traveled to Austin for the College Football Playoff. There, they lost 38-24, and Parker was able to make two tackles in the game. He did not record a sack. That came in a year where Parker had 57 total tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, and 11 sacks in 14 games as a sophomore. The Longhorns would go on to make the semifinal.

In 2025, Parker is going to have a new defensive coordinator in Tom Allen. The pair met and immediately looked back at that loss to Texas. That became a game that Parker could find several ways to improve ahead of this upcoming season.

“That was the first thing we talked about with Coach Allen when we sat down and had a conversation. What I did wrong in that game and what I could have done better,” Parker said. “And here’s what we’re gonna do going forward. From him, since Day 1, it’s been about passion. I need to be coached as hard as possible. You can get in my face and tell me what it is, and tell me what I need to do, and he’s been that since Day 1. For me, that just builds a lot of confidence in my game, and also looking forward I’m just so happy to have him on the team, and it’s going to be a great season.”

An Alabama native, Parker was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023. He was the 54th-ranked recruit overall and the seventh-ranked edge rusher nationally in that recruiting cycle. In two seasons with the Tigers so far, he has been a Second-Team All-ACC selection. So, while he’s already flashed just how talented he can be, there is still room to improve with Allen’s tutelage.

Expectations are massive for Clemson in 2025. That means getting back to the College Football Playoff and making a deeper run into the postseason. To do that, they’ll need Parker to be at his best. First, however, the focus is going to be on Week 1, when Clemson welcomes LSU to Death Valley for a massive opening game.