Q&A with Clemson linebacker Justin Parker

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu Feb 18 10:40:53 GMT-04:00 2010

The process of choosing a school to play football for, and all of the hoopla surrounding National Signing Day, can be a grind on potential commitments, and the end of the recruiting process turns out be a relief.

However, you can’t count Clemson linebacker signee Justin Parker among those, because Parker seemed to be enjoying the whole process, and as the hours counted down to his big decision, there were rumors that Carolina commitment Marcus Lattimore was going to try and sway Parker to the Gamecocks.

All the while, Parker kept having fun, even going as far as posting a picture of a South Carolina hat on his Facebook, with questions marks, setting the internet chat boards into a frenzy.

TigerNet did a Q&A with Parker to talk about the recruiting process and his choice to play for the Tigers, and his answers are below.

DH: It looked like you were having a lot of fun with the whole Signing Day thing, including messing around with people (like putting a Gamecock hat on your Facebook). Was it a lot of fun for you? Did the process begin to wear on you?

JP: LOL! It was a great experience for me. I loved everything about the process. Yeah, the hat was just a little something to throw some people off who said they knew that I was going to USC.

DH: There was a lot of talk about Lattimore calling you and trying to get you to go to Carolina....was there ever any chance of that?

JP: Yea I heard about that as soon as he said he wanted to call me and get me with him at Carolina. But I just got a text from him saying to come to Carolina with him. But as you know my mind was made up already and I was all in to Coach Swinney and the Tiger Nation.

DH: In the end, what made you choose Clemson? Was it the coaches? The school? The chance to play early?

JP: I chose Clemson because I really loved everything about Clemson. The academics, the people and of course the coaches. The chance to play early didn't hurt, but I feel any school that I chose I would play early for.

DH: What are your thoughts on the way Kevin Steele coaches a defense? Do you like the style of defense Clemson plays?

JP: I really love the way Coach Steele coaches. He knows the ins and the outs of the defense, and I can’t wait to play for him and to learn the things that he will teach me. I feel "OUR" D will be even stronger this year than last.

DH: Have you been told that you will get a chance to play your freshman season, or have they talked about a redshirt?

JP: The coaches have told me that I have the opportunity to play as a true freshman. I am working out harder than ever in order to come in and make an impact.

DH: Will you enroll in June or come on campus in August?

JP: I'm looking to enroll in June to come in and get some of that great Clemson training I have heard so much about.

DH: Are you looking forward to getting into practice and showing the coaches what you can do?

JP: Of course! But not the coaches as much as my teammates. I want to prove to them as well as myself that I'm there to work hard and to compete at a high level.

DH: Tell me what you hope your first game is like…..have you already dreamed about running down the Hill and making your first tackle?

JP: Every night when I lay down I think about The Hill, and how crazy it will be in Death Valley! Wow, my first tackle and sack will be very special to me.

DH: Is there any team you are REALLY looking forward to playing? Why?

JP: LOL! Is that a trick question? USC, of course, just because it’s a team that has been there recruiting me from the beginning and because it is a huge rivalry game.

DH: Do you think you can make a difference for the Clemson defense? Why?

JP: Without a doubt! I feel I could be that piece of the puzzle that they have been missing. With me learning from the other LB'S like B. Maye, C. Hawkins and the others, behind that great D-Line and D Mac and the boys behind us! We are going to do big things this year.

Current Clemson linebacker depth chart

SLB 44 Scotty Cooper 6-1 220 Sr.

41 Daniel Andrews 5-11 200 Jr.

MLB 20 BRANDON MAYE 6-3 230 *Jr.

45 Corico Hawkins 6-0 230 So.

WLB 46 Jonathan Willard 6-2 215 *So.