Former Clemson safety R.J. Mickens ran the 40-yard dash on Friday, when defensive backs and tight ends worked out at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

The 6-foot, 199-pound Mickens recorded an unofficial time of 4.50 seconds on his first 40-yard dash attempt.

“That’s a good time,” NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said during the network’s coverage of the combine. “That 4.54 number is a good target here. So anything going south of that is outstanding.”

Mickens then posted the exact same unofficial time of 4.50 seconds on his second 40-yard dash attempt.

“Great times,” Jeremiah said.

Mickens’ official 40 time — 4.49 — was even slightly better. It’s the eighth-fastest time among safeties who ran the 40-yard dash at the combine.

An NFL legacy, Mickens recorded 229 tackles (13.5 for loss), seven interceptions, 15 pass breakups and a fumble recovery across 60 games (30 starts) in his Clemson career from 2020-24.

Mickens, who became the 10th player in Clemson history to play 60 career games, earned a third-team all-conference nod from Phil Steele in 2021 and was a third-team All-ACC selection by Pro Football Focus in 2022.

Mickens earned fourth-team All-ACC recognition from Steele this past season, when he finished third on the team with a career-high 85 tackles (including a career-high 6.0 for loss) while adding seven pass breakups and two interceptions over 13 games (all starts).

Mickens is the son of former Texas A&M All-American defensive back Ray Mickens, Sr., who was a third-round pick in the 1996 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He played with the Jets for eight seasons, and played one year in Cleveland for a total of 146 career NFL games.

During his media interview at the NFL Combine, R.J. said if there was any NFL player he could play with – past or present – it would be his dad.

The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled to be held from April 24-26 inside and around iconic Lambeau Field and Titletown in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

–Photo courtesy Kirby Lee-Imagn Images