The number three is becoming more than just a jersey number for Clemson football — it’s a symbol of dominance in the trenches.
Worn by former elite pass rushers such as Vic Beasley, Xavier Thomas and current star T.J. Parker, the number has undoubtedly a reputation for a sense of stardom and grit, with each who wears it making a mark on Clemson’s defense.
However, the potential legacy of this number has not formed overnight. The journey of this number’s portrayal of excellence is shaped by those who have worn it, as each player adds his own chapter to its expanding significance.
Beasley, one of the best defensive linemen in Clemson football history, was the first player to set the trend.
Beasley arrived in Tigertown in 2010. He rarely saw the field as a true freshman, decided to redshirt and ultimately chose the number due to Jesus Christ rising on the third day.
He’d see an increase in snaps as a sophomore, resulting in him recording 14 tackles, eight sacks and a forced fumble through 13 games.
The 6-foot-2 pass rusher broke out in 2013, emerging as one of the best in the country at his position. He stuffed the stat sheet with 40 tackles, 23 tackles for losses, 13 sacks, five pass deflections and four forced fumbles.
He had a similar final year at Clemson, racking up 34 tackles, 22 tackles for losses, 12 sacks, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery touchdown.
Beasley was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft and finished his four-year collegiate career as Clemson football’s all-time sack leader, with 33.
The next standout player to wear the number, Xavier Thomas, came four years later in 2018.
Thomas was the fifth-highest-ranked recruit in Clemson history. The five-star prospect played high school football at IMG Academy and was ranked as the No. 4 player in the country, the No. 1 player at his position and the No. 1 player in Florida.
Tiger legends Trevor Lawrence, Da’Quan Bowers, Bryan Bresee and Dexter Lawrence II were the only higher-ranked recruits, per 247Sports.
It was safe to say Thomas would immediately impact a national championship-contending program like Clemson.
The highly touted freshman lived up to his expectations, tallying 35 tackles, 11 tackles for losses, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble, nearly earning himself unanimous Freshman All-American honors in 2018 — the same year Clemson won their third and most recent national championship.
While he would miss significant time in the 2020 and 2022 seasons, Thomas would still go on to be a fan favorite and finish with 121 tackles, 35 tackles for losses, 17.5 sacks, seven pass deflections, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in his six-year tenure at Clemson.
After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL draft, the 6-foot-2 linebacker had an impressive rookie campaign for the Arizona Cardinals, accounting for 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one pass deflection and a forced fumble in limited defensive snaps.
Be on the lookout for the former Tiger at the next level in 2025.
Alabama native T.J. Parker was the third to obtain the jersey number at the position, but he wouldn’t have it until his sophomore year.
Parker foreshadowed his future performances while wearing No. 12 in his first year. He recorded 32 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks, helping him earn a Freshman All-American status.
Adopting No. 3 as a sophomore, he broke out for 57 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles, the most in Clemson history.
By the end of this past 2024 season, the edge rusher finished top 12 in sacks, top 5 in tackles for loss and tied for second in forced fumbles caused across the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Heading into his junior year, Parker is poised to be one of the best at his position and one of the most influential leaders of the talented Clemson defense next season.
