TJ Parker Wows on Day 1 of Senior Bowl, Rekindling First-Round Buzz
The NFL Draft season officially kicked into gear Tuesday afternoon as the first practices of the Panini Senior Bowl got underway in Mobile, Alabama. With scouts and decision-makers from all 32 teams watching closely, it’s the kind of stage that can reshape a prospect’s draft stock in a matter of reps. And few players made a louder opening statement than Clemson edge rusher TJ Parker.
After bursting onto the scene with 11 sacks in 2024, Parker saw his production dip this past season, finishing with just five. That drop-off nudged him out of the early first-round conversation and into the murky waters of Day 2 projections. But if Day 1 of Senior Bowl practices is any indication, Parker came to Mobile with something to prove-and he didn’t waste any time doing it.
Dominance from the First Rep
Parker’s impact was immediate. On the very first team drill rep of the day, he lined up across from Texas A&M tackle Trey Zuhn III and bulldozed him with a power move that turned heads on the sideline. It was a flash of the explosiveness and brute strength that once had Parker trending as a potential top-10 pick.
That kind of tone-setting play doesn’t just get a scout’s attention-it demands it.
Winning in 1-on-1s
Parker didn’t cool off after that opening salvo. During 1-on-1 drills, he squared off against Maryland tackle Alan Herron and delivered a textbook long-arm move, leveraging his power and pad level to collapse the pocket and force pressure. It was the kind of rep that shows up on tape and gets replayed in draft rooms.
And it wasn’t just the pass rush. Parker also held his own in run defense, showing a complete skill set that will be critical for teams evaluating three-down edge players.
A Statement Made
For Parker, Day 1 couldn’t have gone much better. He looked fast, strong, and technically sharp-everything you want to see from a pass rusher trying to re-enter the first-round conversation.
With a deep class of edge defenders in this year’s draft, standing out in Mobile is no small feat. But Parker didn’t just stand out-he stood above.
There’s still a week of practices and meetings ahead, and while some prospects in recent years have opted to leave early after strong showings, Parker might benefit from sticking around. Each rep is a chance to reinforce what he put on tape during his breakout 2024 season-and to quiet any concerns from this past year.
Right now, Parker looks like a player who’s not just trying to rebuild his draft stock-he’s trying to reclaim it. And if he keeps stacking days like this, it’s entirely possible we’ll hear his name called late in Round 1 come April. For teams in need of edge help-and there are plenty-Parker’s performance on Day 1 served as a loud reminder: the talent is still very much there.