Dabo Swinney’s charm might be working overtime this season because his Tigers sure aren’t. Clemson’s last 35-24 home loss to SMU felt like a gut punch for Tiger fans. While the bye week gave them a brief chance to relax, another incident soon set Death Valley ablaze with fireworks. During Clemson’s bye week, defensive end TJ Parker pulled off the ultimate off-field victory. He married his college sweetheart, former Clemson volleyball standout Azyah Dailey. Now that’s a big thing for Parker.

Although he was thrilled to marry the love of his life, a part of his heart still longed for something more in the field. Remember when he placed a tough condition for Dabo Swinney of scoring a touchdown for Clemson before he graduates? Yeah, that one. However, Clemson’s momentum this season isn’t really allowing him to do so. That’s why Dabo Swinney tried to smooth things over for him by using his marriage. “Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says he’s ‘really happy’ for DE T.J. Parker, who got married last week,” Clemson writer Chapel Fowler posted on X.

“Says he was actually talking about that with Parker today in context of still enjoying this season: ‘He hasn’t had the year he wanted, but he met his wife here … that’s a win.” Parker just wanted to have a shot at scoring an offensive touchdown before he left campus. Parker showed up at ACC Media Day grinning and laid down the challenge like a dare. “Coach, if I’m gonna come here, I need at least one touchdown,” he said. Why so confident? Because in high school, Parker’s first game ever at tight end netted him three catches, 110 yards, and a score, including a famous 87-yard bomb against national power IMG Academy.

Additionally, Parker didn’t want a charity pass. “I don’t need no screen,” Parker demanded. “We runnin’. I want to earn that touchdown.” He’s openly called on offensive coaches Garrett Riley, C.J. Spiller, and Tyler Grisham to back him up. Plus, Parker is not the one trying to work another position; while leaving his normal role as a DE in scrambles, he has the numbers there, too. Last year, he racked up 11 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles. Additionally, TJ needs Swinney to be impartial in this matter. It’s because, if linebacker Barrett Carter got to run one in last year, why not T.J. out wide at the goal line? But Swinney did the same thing, Parker was afraid of.

Let’s go back to Clemson’s game against Syracuse, and the rocky 1-3 start. Rather than seeing No. 3 split wide for a go-ball, Tiger fans have watched someone else. It was monster defensive tackle Peter Woods who got the special love on the offensive side. Swinney dialed up a short-yardage gadget moment against Syracuse. He lined up Woods as a running back on fourth-and-1. And guess what? The move worked; Woods barreled forward for the first down. Now, there’s a clear reason behind this bias.

Woods has worked hard to earn the coaches’ trust. He showed up for 4:30 a.m. workouts, playing out of position last season, and always doing whatever’s needed. Meanwhile, Parker had to watch. Through seven games into the season, Parker’s stat line looks a bit average. As of now, he has 24 total tackles this season, out of which his solo count is 15, with just 2 sacks. As of October 11, 2025, PFF gave Parker an impressive 84.0 grade, making him the Tigers’ top defender. Still, his numbers have dipped a bit compared to his monster 2024 season.

Now, he’s got to put those touchdown dreams on hold and focus on helping the team close out the season strong. After all, NFL draft experts still see him as a possible first-round pick in 2026. And hey, now that he’s a newlywed, it’s only natural he might be a little distracted.

T.J. Parker’s October ‘I Do’ moment

The Clemson Tigers have been really hungry for wins this season. But as a moment of joy, the real win came during the Tigers’ bye week, as TJ Parker got married. Parker, tying the knot with former Clemson volleyball player Azyah Dailey, instantly became the talk of Death Valley. With the Tigers’ ongoing on-field struggles, Parker and Dailey were busy posting their next chapter on Instagram.

Dailey looked beautiful in a white gown with a slit and roses. Her husband, Parker, all business in black, both looking like they’d been waiting their whole lives for that single, perfect snapshot. The couple also gave a glimpse of their Clemson romance. Parker called proposing to Dailey his “favorite memory” on campus, ranking the moment even above on-field sacks and highlights. He even credited Dabo Swinney for making Clemson a place where athletes can chase every goal and not just football dreams.

To be able to meet my future wife here and compete for championships makes this place very special to me,” he said. Fans have been waiting for this wedding for months now. In September, Dailey dropped a teaser on Instagram, rocking Parker’s No. 3 jersey and flashing “Mrs. Parker” on a shirt, the caption “3+me” hinting at the coming nuptials. By October 23, “The Parkers” were official, and the Clemson social media universe lit up with celebration.