T.J. Parker and Peter Woods arrived on Clemson’s campus in January 2023 as two of the top defensive line prospects in the country, with both hailing from the state of Alabama.
Fast forward to the present, and now, they’re hoping to hear their names called in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
After spending three seasons together at Clemson, and helping the Tigers win the 2024 ACC title and earn a College Football Playoff berth that same year, Parker and Woods are each going through the NFL Draft process ahead of April’s draft.
Parker recently joined the ACC Network Football Podcast hosted by Roddy Jones and EJ Manuel, and Parker discussed his longstanding relationship with Woods.
“That’s my dawg,” Parker said. “That’s one of my best friends, man. We knew each other in high school. Obviously we played each other a couple times. Obviously I ain’t win no state championship. But that’s all good.”
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 2023 recruit rankings. 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.
Parker says that during the recruiting process, he and Woods “always talked about going to the same school and teaming up” at the college level. However, Parker admitted that they “didn’t think it would be Clemson” where they would end up playing with one another.
But after Woods committed to Clemson on July 8, 2022, Parker ultimately pledged to the Tigers as well on Nov. 21, 2022.
“We were thinking other schools. I ain’t going to really mention their names,” Parker said.
“And then it just so happened that, like, he committed to Clemson, and then a couple months later, I had committed to Clemson. And from then, we told each other, like, man, we’re trying to be three-and-out. Every goal that we set our freshman year, we hit them. Graduated, declared [for the NFL Draft] in three years… Man, we always held each other accountable and spent so much time together in the offseason while training.”
A 2023 freshman All-American and 2024 All-ACC selection, Parker piled up 144 tackles (41.5 for loss), 21.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and five pass breakups over 39 games (29 starts) in his Clemson career from 2023-25. He leaves Tigertown ranked 10th in career sacks and tied for fourth in career fumble recoveries, and he set the Clemson record for forced fumbles in a single season with six in 2024.
Woods was credited with 99 tackles (14.5 for loss), five sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups over 35 games (24 starts) in his Clemson career from 2023-25. He was a freshman All-American in 2023, and in 2025, he became Clemson’s first All-American at defensive tackle since Christian Wilkins’ unanimous selection in 2018. Woods was the only player in America in 2025 to record multiple games with both a sack and a rushing touchdown
Parker is ranked by longtime ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. as the No. 3 outside linebacker prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class, while Woods is ranked by Kiper as the third-best defensive tackle in this year’s draft class.
A recent 2026 mock draft from ESPN’s Matt Miller has Parker going to the Dallas Cowboys in the first round with the 20th overall pick. Kiper’s first 2026 mock draft has Woods going to the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round with the 22nd overall selection.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. Of course, Parker looks forward to hearing his name called during the draft, and he’s excited to hear Woods’ name get called, as well.
“That’s just family right there, man,” Parker said. “He’s an unbelievable guy, and I’m happy for him. I can’t wait to hear his name be called, too.”