The NFL Wildcard round has concluded and multiple former Clemson Tigers have made themselves known on the gridiron.

Here we’ll talk about RJ Mickens who played for Clemson from 2020-2024. Mickens is an NFL legacy who recorded 229 tackles (13.5 for loss), seven interceptions, 15 pass breakups and a fumble recovery over 2,174 career snaps in 60 games (30 starts) from 2020-24.

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He became the 10th player in Clemson history to play 60 career games, joining James Skalski, Will Spiers, Will Swinney, B.T. Potter, Nolan Turner, Justin Mascoll, Xavier Thomas, Jalyn Phillips and Will Putnam.

Mickens was drafted 214th overall in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers 

Mickens showed minor glimpses of his defensive capabilities in a 16-3 loss to the New England Patriots and Drake Maye with two tackles, both being solo tackles.

In preseason week one of the 2025 season Mickens was the highest PFF graded rookie safety boasting at 93.0 

During his rookie campaign the sixth rounder put up 29 total tackles, 18 solo, with 2 interceptions. He earned a PFF honor for being the most impactful rookie on all of the Los Angeles Chargers roster.

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“Running back Omarion Hampton and tight end Oronde Gadsden II are viable candidates here, but Mickens, a sixth-round pick, provided unprecedented depth for the team at safety,” PFF’s Ben Cooper said. “While he saw just nine targets across 219 coverage snaps, Mickens nabbed two interceptions. That effort resulted in a 12.5 passer rating allowed in coverage, the top mark among 107 qualifying safeties this regular season.”

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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson Football Tigers in the NFL Playoffs: Safety RJ Mickens