Trending Now - Bills Draft Clemson's T.J. Parker to Bolster Edge Rushing

WHO:

buffalobills.com - T.J. Parker, selected by the Buffalo Bills.

buffalobills.com - Jim Leonhard, defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.

buffalobills.com - Joe Brady, head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

buffalobills.com - Azyah Parker, T.J. Parker's wife and former Clemson women's volleyball player.

WHAT:

buffalobills.com - T.J. Parker described his transition to outside linebacker as an opportunity to demonstrate his versatility, stating, "I'm very versatile. On my team, I can drop in coverage, I can rush the pass or I can stop the run."

buffalobills.com - Parker expressed his eagerness to work hard and win, saying, "That's all about me," regarding the work ethic at One Bills Drive.

buffalobills.com - Parker stated, "I know one thing; the fans [in Buffalo] love football. And that's one thing I love," expressing his excitement about joining the Bills.

buffalobills.com - T.J. Parker recorded 57 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one pass deflection in 2024.

buffalobills.com - In 2025, Parker had 37 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, three fumble recoveries, and one pass deflection.

buffalobills.com - Parker stated, "I think I had a good year [in 2025]. I feel like a lot of stuff on tape, I've improved from my sophomore year to my junior year."

buffalobills.com - Parker described himself as "a very physical player who loves using hands, doesn't shy away from contact in the run or the pass game. Very powerful with my long arms and my speed, the power."

buffalobills.com - Parker emphasized his commitment to playing with attitude, stating, "[I'm] playing fast, physical football … and I'm trying to bring the nasty to the defense."

buffalobills.com - T.J. Parker stated, "I think it's a great [thing]," regarding his transition to outside linebacker, emphasizing his versatility.

buffalobills.com - Parker expressed his readiness to play wherever head coach Joe Brady and Jim Leonhard want him, stating, "That's where I'll play with no complaints."

buffalobills.com - Parker described himself as "a very physical player who loves using hands, doesn't shy away from contact in the run or the pass game."

buffalobills.com - T.J. Parker expressed confidence in his ability to improve, stating, "I think I had a good year [in 2025]. I feel like a lot of stuff on tape, I've improved from my sophomore year to my junior year."

buffalobills.com - Parker described his approach to the game, saying, "[I'm] one guy who could change up and use a little speed, a guy who's going to try to play with attitude, run to the ball, get there as fast as possible and put pain on somebody."

buffalobills.com - T.J. Parker was selected by the Buffalo Bills after they made three trades on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

buffalobills.com - Parker earned a spot on the All-ACC Second-Team in 2024.

buffalobills.com - Parker stated, "I know one thing; the fans [in Buffalo] love football. And that's one thing I love," expressing his excitement about joining the Bills.

buffalobills.com - T.J. Parker stated, "I think it's a great [thing]... I'm very versatile. On my team, I can drop in coverage, I can rush the pass or I can stop the run."

buffalobills.com - Parker expressed his eagerness to work hard, saying, "That's all about me," regarding the work ethic at One Bills Drive.

buffalobills.com - Parker emphasized his commitment to playing with attitude, stating, "[I'm] playing fast, physical football … and I'm trying to bring the nasty to the defense."

buffalobills.com - T.J. Parker expressed confidence in his ability to improve despite a dip in production in 2025, stating, "I think I had a good year [in 2025]. I feel like a lot of stuff on tape, I've improved from my sophomore year to my junior year."

buffalobills.com - Parker described himself as "a very physical player who loves using hands, doesn't shy away from contact in the run or the pass game."

buffalobills.com - Parker stated, "[I'm] playing fast, physical football … and I'm trying to bring the nasty to the defense."

buffalobills.com - T.J. Parker was selected No. 35 overall in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

buffalobills.com - Parker recorded 57 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one pass deflection in 2024.

buffalobills.com - In 2025, Parker had 37 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, three fumble recoveries, and one pass deflection.

Heavy NFL - The Bills are replacing Joey Bosa with T.J. Parker as part of a major defensive shift.

WHERE:

buffalobills.com - Buffalo, New York, where the Bills are based.

buffalobills.com - Clemson University, where T.J. Parker played college football.

WHEN:

buffalobills.com - T.J. Parker was drafted on April 25th, 2026.

buffalobills.com - Parker's peak performance year at Clemson was in 2024.

buffalobills.com - Parker got married in October 2025.

WHY:

buffalobills.com - Parker aims to be a great teammate and addition to the locker room, saying, "I'm excited to learn from everyone around me, improve my game, be a sponge and be a great teammate."

buffalobills.com - The Bills selected Parker to bolster their defense and transition to a new 3-4 scheme under Jim Leonhard.

HOW:

buffalobills.com - Parker learned discipline and respect from his father, who served in the Army for 11 years, stating, "The stories of things my dad's seen and went through as being a leader, those growing pains, I can relate to it the same way [when] leading my football team, my teammates [and] trying to be the best leader possible."

buffalobills.com - Parker's wife, Azyah, is described as "super competitive" and keeps him motivated, saying, "She keeps me on my toes, always trying to make me the best athlete in the world."

buffalobills.com - Parker learned discipline and respect from his father, who served in the Army for 11 years, stating, "I took that and applied it to my life as much as possible."

buffalobills.com - Parker's wife, Azyah, is described as "super competitive" and keeps him motivated, saying, "She keeps me on my toes, always trying to make me the best athlete in the world."

buffalobills.com - Parker started playing sports from a young age, asking his parents to sign him up for football at four years old.

buffalobills.com - Parker learned discipline and respect from his father, who served in the Army for 11 years, stating, "I took that and applied it to my life as much as possible."

buffalobills.com - Parker will transition from playing edge at Clemson to outside linebacker in the Bills' new defensive scheme.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 23:06 UTC)

T.J. Parker recently shared his excitement about transitioning to outside linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, emphasizing his versatility on the field with the ability to drop into coverage, rush the passer, or stop the run. He expressed a strong work ethic and eagerness to learn from his teammates, stating that he aims to be a great addition to the locker room and is motivated by his competitive wife, Azyah. Parker also reflected on the discipline and respect he learned from his father, a former Army serviceman, which he believes will help him lead his team effectively.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 21:08 UTC)

T.J. Parker had an impressive 2024 season, recording fifty-seven tackles, nineteen and a half tackles for loss, and eleven sacks, along with six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2025, he noted a solid performance with thirty-seven total tackles and five sacks, expressing his growth from his sophomore to junior year, while emphasizing his physical playing style and commitment to bringing intensity to the defense. Parker also highlighted the influence of his father's military background on his discipline and respect, stating that he strives to be a great teammate and eager learner in the locker room.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 19:14 UTC)

T.J. Parker is embracing his transition to outside linebacker, calling it a great opportunity that showcases his versatility. He expressed his readiness to play wherever head coach Joe Brady and defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard need him, emphasizing his commitment to the team with no complaints. Parker also highlighted his physical playing style and the discipline he learned from his father, a veteran, which he aims to apply as he strives to be a valuable teammate and improve his game.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 17:11 UTC)

T.J. Parker is feeling confident about his performance, reflecting on a solid year in 2025 and noting his improvements from his sophomore to junior seasons. He emphasizes his aggressive approach to the game, aiming to bring speed and attitude to the field while striving to be a valuable teammate and learn from those around him. Parker credits his father, a veteran of the Army, for instilling in him the discipline and respect that he applies to both his life and football career.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 13:18 UTC)

The Buffalo Bills selected T.J. Parker after making three trades on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Parker, who earned a spot on the All-ACC Second-Team in 2024, expressed his excitement about joining the team, saying, "I know one thing; the fans [in Buffalo] love football. And that's one thing I love." He also shared his approach to the game, emphasizing his speed and attitude, stating, "[I'm] one guy who could change up and use a little speed, a guy who's going to try to play with attitude, run to the ball, get there as fast as possible and put pain on somebody."

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 05:34 UTC)

T.J. Parker expressed his excitement about joining the Buffalo Bills, highlighting his versatility on the field as he can cover, rush the passer, and stop the run. He emphasized his commitment to playing fast and physical football, aiming to bring an aggressive attitude to the defense, while also sharing how his father's military background instilled discipline and leadership qualities in him. Parker's competitive spirit is further fueled by his wife, Azyah, who keeps him motivated to be the best athlete he can be, a drive that began when he started playing football at just four years old.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 03:55 UTC)

T.J. Parker is feeling confident about improving his game despite a dip in production last season, emphasizing that he has made strides since his sophomore year. Describing himself as a very physical player who embraces contact, Parker is eager to bring intensity to the defense while also being a great teammate and learning from those around him. He credits his father, a veteran who served in the Army, for instilling discipline and respect in him, which he strives to apply in his life and football career.

(UPDATED April 25, 2026 01:23 UTC)

T.J. Parker was selected by the Buffalo Bills as the No. 35 overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, marking a significant shift in the team's defense as they transition to a new 3-4 scheme under defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Parker, who recorded impressive stats during his college career at Clemson, including 57 tackles and 11 sacks in 2024, will be moving from edge rusher to outside linebacker in Buffalo. He is married to Azyah Parker, a former Clemson women's volleyball player, and the couple tied the knot in October 20th25.