CLEMSON — R.J. Mickens heard his name called on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The former Clemson safety was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the sixth round with the No. 214 overall pick.

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.

Now, the younger Mickens has a chance to make a name for himself at the next level. He was a part of a Clemson program that won two ACC Championships during his career, including this past year when they advanced to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020.