American football player (born 2001)
R.J. Mickens (born July 10, 2001) is an American football safety for the Clemson Tigers.
Early years.
Mickens attended Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas, where he played both sides of the ball on the football team. On offense he rushed for 39 yards and two touchdowns, while also bringing in 61 receptions for 1,092 yards and 14 touchdowns. On defense Mickens notched 211 tackles with six going for a loss, two sacks, 32 pass deflections, eight interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and eight forced fumbles. He committed to play college football at the University of Clemson over others schools such as Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Texas A&amp;M.
College career.
As a freshman in 2020, Mickens had one tackle. In week 2 of the 2021 season, he had his first career interceptions, as helped Clemson beat South Carolina State. Mickens finished the 2021 season with 29 tackles with 0.5 tackle being for a loss, and two interceptions. In the 2022 regular season finale, he had a big goal line tackle and an interception, but he was ejected due to targeting in the third quarter, as the Tigers fell to their rival South Carolina. Mickens finished the 2022 season with 48 tackles with three going for a loss, two pass deflections, and three interceptions. He was named Preseason Third-Team All-American by Pro Football Focus for the 2023 season.
Personal life.
He is the son of former NFL cornerback Ray Mickens.
References.
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