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7 freshmen in 2023 that should be starting for Clemson Football in 2024

By John Chancey

Nov 18, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) pressures North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) pressures North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /
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TJ Parker

TJ Parker is the guy we thought was pretty good but didn’t know how quickly he could get acclimated and contribute.

He acclimated fast and has been contributing from the start. We worried about the defensive end position this past offseason. Except for injuries, Clemson has had a solid three-man rotation with Xavier Thomas, Justin Mascoll, and Parker.

Parker is second on the team in sacks with 5, just behind Jeremiah Trotter with 5.5. He has 27 tackles, which leads the defensive ends, and only trails Davis among the linemen.

Thomas and Mascoll exhaust their eligibility after this season, and I think the earliest version of the 2024 depth chart already has Parker’s name written in permanent marker.

The more critical question will be the other starting end job. Cade Denhoff has gotten some snaps but hasn’t jumped off the page. Zaire Patterson hasn’t seen much field time, and I would be surprised if he is in the running for the job.

There are two freshmen, AJ Hoffler and David Ojiegbe, who could take a step following a redshirt season. There is also the possibility that the Tigers bring in a transfer at the defensive end position.

Time will tell how the other spot is handled, but Parker has the first one locked down.

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