Clemson Football: If TJ Parker should start, who should he replace?

Multiple freshmen have made an impression for Clemson Football in the first three weeks of the season. Yesterday we discussed Tyler Brown and how his play is making the case for him to be in the starting lineup.

Peter Woods drew a lot of hype from fans and observers before the season, and he hasn’t disappointed. The guy on the defense who has surprised us a little bit is defensive end TJ Parker.

I say a little bit because Parker was a highly-rated prospect, so everyone knew he was going to be good, but the question would be how quickly would he make an impact. We also know he would get a chance because after Xavier Thomas and Justin Mascoll, there didn’t appear to be much depth.

Parker has gotten his chance, and he has not disappointed. He is the second leading tackler among the defensive linemen with eight tackles. He also has a sack that he got this weekend against FAU.

Parker has been impressive enough that, like Brown, the conversation is now about Parker possibly moving into the starting lineup, and I think that’s a fair topic to discuss. Parker has been good enough to start.

Where I disagree with most people is who Parker should replace in the starting lineup. The canned answer is that he should replace Mascoll.

That answer would be wrong.

The narrative is that Mascoll is a guy who isn’t starting quality and is only starting because the Tigers don’t have anyone better. Based on what has happened in the first three games of the 2023 season, I’m not buying into that narrative anymore.

Remember I mentioned that Parker has the second most tackles among the defensive linemen? He’s second because Mascoll has the most tackles among the linemen with ten. Only Jeremiah Trotter and Barrett Carter have more tackles for the defense than Mascoll so far this season.

Mascoll doesn’t have a sack, but he is putting pressure on the quarterback. It was Mascoll who got the initial pressure that flushed Casey Thompson (right-handed quarterback) out of the pocket on Nate Wiggin’s Pick-Six interception on the first FAU drive.

Anyone saying TJ Parker should replace Justin Mascoll in the starting lineup for Clemson Football is reciting an old narrative and isn’t watching the games

Thomas has four tackles and one sack (against Charleston Southern). He hasn’t been bad by any stretch.

Something else to consider: if you ask football people if you should start your best defensive end on the right (over the offensive left tackle) or the left (over the offensive right tackle), you will see varying answers. Some would say yes, the best end will line up on the right. Others will specify that it is the fastest end who will line up on the right to try to fly around the left tackle and use his speed to catch the quarterback on the blindside (assuming the quarterback is right-handed, like Thompson).

Use whichever definition you like, but if you watched Saturday, Mascoll started on the right. Thomas started on the left. When Parker came in, he usually played on the right. On occasion, Mascoll would line up on the left and Thomas on the right, but it was the exception to the rule.

Like I said, I think taking Mascoll out of the starting lineup for Parker is the wrong answer. That doesn’t mean I think taking Thomas out of the starting lineup for Parker is the right answer. I don’t, though I would be tempted.

I think the right answer is to stick with the current plan. Keep Mascoll and Thomas in the first string, and rotate Parker in. I think Clemson has three solid defensive ends right now, which is a pleasant surprise compared to where we thought that position would be back in the summer.

As the season progresses, they can make changes as the situation dictates. Thomas might pick up steam and finally fulfill the promise fans have been craving. Mascoll’s pace might drop in the next month. Parker might be the best defensive end on the team by Week 8.

I think Brown needs to enter the starting lineup at wide receiver because I’m not convinced Clemson is getting the best from that unit with their current starters. Right now, stay the course at defensive end. What the Tigers are doing there is working.