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Star Clemson defender claps back at LSU HC Brian Kelly over 'Death Valley Junior' comments ahead of high-profile season-opening matchup

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ian Valentino | Last updated Jul 25, 2025 9:54 AM ET

The ACC Media Days gave the Clemson Tigers the chance to claw back at LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly. Unsurprisingly, the two elite teams that are set to face off in Week 1 of the 2025 college football season are focused on each other. Barbs were sure to be exchanged, and we weren't let down.

Days after Kelly let Clemson know that he views Clemson's Memorial Stadium as the "Death Valley Junior" experience compared to LSU's homefield environment, Clemson had their revenge. Top five 2026 NFL Draft prospect TJ Parker was happy to be the one to deliver the message to Kelly and LSU.

“They can have their opinion. We’re gonna handle all that on August 30,” Parker said. “At the end of the day, we can do all the talking, we still got to play. So, we gonna see, you know what I’m saying? They’re hyping up everybody across the board, all these transfers they got — we’ll see.”

Asked Clemson junior DE TJ Parker about Brian Kelly calling Clemson’s stadium “Death Valley Jr.” Parker: “They can have their opinion. We’re gonna handle all that on August 30” pic.twitter.com/Wz3FO02mn4
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) July 24, 2025

Both teams refer to their home stadium experiences as "Death Valley", but Clemson is the original namesake. LSU had better be prepared for a rocking Clemson home crowd, and the 7:30 PM ET kickoff time will only make their task of winning on the road even more difficult.

Parker is one of several massive stars on Clemson's roster. He totaled 11 sacks as a defensive end in 2024. Clemson boasts ample talent to achieve big things this year, with 16 returning starters, including All-ACC quarterback Cade Klubnik, ready to lead the charge.

LSU and Clemson have faced off just four times in their history, with their most recent clash in 2019, where LSU trounced Clemson 42-25 to claim the National Championship. Now, Clemson is eager to settle the score against their SEC rival.

The nickname "Death Valley" for Clemson’s Memorial Stadium originated in 1948 when Lonnie McMillian, then head coach of Presbyterian College, told sportswriters he had to take his team to play in Clemson’s daunting "Death Valley."

By contrast, LSU’s Tiger Stadium earned the "Death Valley" moniker in 1959, following a 7-0 victory over Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. Before that, LSU’s stadium was informally called “Deaf Valley” due to its deafening crowd noise.

On August 30, LSU will encounter a spirited Clemson crowd, as the Tigers are determined to rebound from their first-round College Football Playoff loss to Texas last season.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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