CLEMSON — When Tom Allen took the job to be Clemson’s new defensive coordinator last January, few were as happy as defensive end T.J. Parker.

Why?

Allen is known for taking the best player on his defense and making him even better. If that is the case, Parker is in store for a great 2025 season.

It is not like Parker needs much help to begin with. Just look at his numbers without Allen.

The 6-foot-3, 263-pound junior led the nation in stripped-sack-fumbles (6) in 2024. He ranked fifth nationally in tackles for loss (19.5) and ninth in sacks (11.0).

While the Tigers struggled as w whole on defense, Parker quietly had one of the best seasons a defensive player can have, especially a defensive end.

“You will see a lot of improvements,” said Parker, who finished the season with 64 tackles. “I can’t give you the details, but we are going to have a lot more fun out there.”

It’s hard to imagine Parker’s numbers being much better than they were last year, but Allen has a way of utilizing a player with Parker’s skillset and making him more explosive.

Last year, Allen took Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter and made him the best defensive player in the country. He first moved Carter from linebacker to defensive end and then moved him around everywhere to exploit his talents.

Carter responded with 68 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, 12.0 sacks, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles on his way to being the No. 3 overall pick in last April’s NFL Draft.

How is Allen going to use Parker in his Clemson defense?

“There are a few new things,” Parker said with a grin. “I am super excited about it, but you guys will get to see it eventually.”

Parker says Allen has brought a lot of passion and a new mentality to the defense. The defense is playing loose, playing fast and is having a lot of fun.

“You see the confidence and the way people carry themselves,” Parker said. “We have a lot of confidence throughout the defense. I mean everybody.

“We feed off that, we feed off each other and we feed off the coaches’ energy. That is what is allowing us to play better.”

Parker also loves Allen’s open-door policy and his willingness to stay after practice and explain his scheme to his players.

“It gives us a new outlook on how we approach the game,” the defensive end said. “He is always saying if ‘you don’t understand something or you don’t understand why are doing it, come and talk to me.’

“I am big on why we do certain things. Not that I am being defiant or anything like that, I just want to understand it so I can get the bigger picture. There were a couple of times during spring practice where I shot down to his office and we went over certain plays because we do new things. I want to understand it, so I can play a lot harder and not think about certain things whenever I am playing. Just having that open communication is something that I love.”

And Clemson fans are going to love what Allen has in store for opposing offenses this fall.