Clemson Tigers Described as a 'Roster Filled with NFL Players' by Troy Head Coach

Troy head coach Gerard Parker is approaching this weekend's matchup versus the Clemson Tigers with a mix of respect and focus for what it can teach his team and program as a whole.

Reflecting on their 38-20 Week 1 win over Nicholls State, Parker emphasized the importance of instincts and physicality at the line of scrimmage, acknowledging how tough this Clemson team is.

"It was good to see the [physicality]. We played hard. I thought at times we were looking at things instead of playing physical at the line of scrimmage and playing through stuff," he said. "In order for us to have success this week, we better come off the football and think less, and play through stuff faster… those things happen through instincts and preparation."

Parker knows the challenge Clemson presents is immense, emphasizing just how talented and NFL-caliber the roster is, particularly on defense.

"The entire [Clemson] roster is filled with NFL players," he expressed. "They have a defense that's as good as I've seen on tape in my career, and this is as talented a Clemson roster as I've seen in my time as being an assistant coach or coordinator. So the talent disparity and the talent they have up and down their roster, it looks like a top-five program in the country."

But the pure talent on the loaded Clemson roster wasn't the only acknowledgment he took into account, explaining how hard it is to enter and perform in an environment as wild as Death Valley on a Saturday.

"You throw in crowd noise and the environment, and you've got to practice that with it," he stated. "We'll do our part on offense to give our guys the proper crowd noise and things that it's going to take to operate with cadence, so we don't inflict things upon ourselves that aren't maybe hard enough. You've got both issues you've got to challenge yourself in [but] this is why we coach and compete."

"If Troy will be Troy, I expect our guys to really be looking forward to that type of environment and competing and seeing what we're made of," he continued.

While the immediate focus lies on matching up with Clemson's talent, Parker emphasized that facing such an elite opponent gives Troy a chance to test themselves and refine their skills under pressure. Competing against a top program forces the team to elevate every aspect of their play, lessons that will carry into their in-conference and non-conference contests.

"I think any time you can compete against great people and great operations... your level of play must rise and meet great players and great coaching schemes, as well. For us to play in this type of environment, if we treat it the right way and compete in the right way, it's going to allow us to improve at a much faster rate, which allows us to prepare for what the Sun Belt Conference will bring us, and future opponents in Memphis and Buffalo."

For Parker and Troy, this weekend is about stepping onto Clemson's stage and testing themselves against one of the nation's most talented rosters. Facing a team stacked with NFL-caliber players in the roar of Death Valley will challenge every aspect of their game and show exactly where they stand against one of college football's elite programs.