R.J. Mickens, welcome to the City of Angels.
The former Carroll and Clemson University footballer was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the sixth round last weekend at the 2025 NFL Draft, a three-day event that took place in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Mickens, a safety, started 13 games for Clemson in 2024. He was named team captain and totaled 75 tackles, six tackles for a loss, two interceptions and seven pass breakups. He also played on special teams and was selected to play the 2025 Shrine Bowl, the college football all-star game.
On the Chargers, Mickens slots into the Chargers' secondary behind Derwin James and Elijah Molden. He is also a prime special teams candidate.
Mickens was named an all-state selection as a sophomore at Carroll, and entered his junior year as a four-star recruit at cornerback. He was also ranked as the fifth-best recruit in all of Texas in 2020.