ESPN took a look back and did a re-rank of prospects in the 2023 recruiting class, which featured a couple of high school talents who went on to become stars for the Clemson Tigers – defensive tackle Peter Woods and defensive end T.J. Parker.
ESPN’s re-rank slots Woods as the No. 11 overall player in the 2023 class.
Woods, a former five-star from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala., was the No. 4 overall prospect – and the top-ranked defensive player – in ESPN’s original 2023 recruit rankings.
“Woods didn’t disappoint when we finally saw him in person at the 2023 Under Armour All-America game,” ESPN’s Billy Tucker wrote. “He was the most disruptive player on the field against the nation’s best competition, and his lack of ideal measurables at 6-foot-2, 275 pounds were not an issue. His explosion and initial quickness and tenacious motor overwhelmed offensive linemen in one-on-one situations all week.
“The former five-star was the top-ranked defensive player on the 2023 ESPN 300, and his Clemson career didn’t disappoint. Woods penetrated ACC backfields and forced frequent double-teams, which muted his overall production, but he still showed versatility by lining up at defensive tackle and end. Woods projects as one of the first defensive tackles off the board in this year’s NFL draft.”
Meanwhile, Parker was a four-star prospect according to ESPN, which touted him as the 10th-best defensive end and No. 87 overall prospect in the 2023 class coming out of Central High School in Phenix City, Ala.
ESPN’s re-rank slides Parker up substantially as the No. 17 overall player in his recruiting class.
“A top-100 prospect in the 2023 ESPN 300 and the No. 10 defensive end, Parker’s Clemson production largely matched his high school projection,” Tucker wrote. “He arrived in Death Valley with a blend of size at 6-foot-4, 255 pounds with power and range, which he used to overpower high school competition. Parker could also line up anywhere and wreak havoc, especially off the edge.
“Over 39 career college games, he made 127 tackles, including 41.5 for loss, 21.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and three pass breakups. He ranks 10th in school history for career sacks, but Parker’s production dipped in 2025.”
Fast forward to the present, and Parker is ranked by longtime ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. as the No. 3 outside linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft class, while Woods is ranked by Kiper as the third-best defensive tackle in this year’s draft class.
Kiper’s debut mock draft for the 2026 class, released in late January, doesn’t have Parker as a first-round pick. But Kiper projected Woods to be selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round (No. 22 overall pick) of this spring’s draft, which is set to take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
