This ESPN analyst is a fan of one particular Clemson draft pick.

ESPN’s Matt Miller highlighted his 100 favorite selections of the 2025 NFL Draft (subscription required) and named former Clemson safety R.J. Mickens among them.

Mickens was a Day 3 pick of the Los Angeles Chargers, who took him in the sixth round (No. 214 overall pick).

The Chargers’ selection of Mickens was ranked by Miller at No. 95 among the best 100 picks of this year’s draft.

“Mickens was one of the biggest value plays of the draft,” Miller wrote. “He was picked on at times when asked to play deep safety last season, but his impact in the box should get him on the roster as Derwin James Jr.’s backup and a special teams ace.”

Entering the draft, Miller had Mickens ranked as the No. 125 overall prospect in the 2025 draft class.

During ESPN’s coverage of the draft, after Mickens came off the board, Miller discussed why he is high on the 6-foot, 199-pounder, who started 30 games in his Clemson career and ran a 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. 

“Solidly built. He has the height/weight speed that we’re looking for,” Miller said of Mickens.

“What I love about him – put up coverage every year at Clemson. He reads the quarterback’s eyes exceptionally well. I think there were times where he sees it on time, but he’s held up a little bit in his transition due to some hip stiffness, some heavy footwork at times. But hey, he has been battle-tested over the past three years as a starter.”

Mickens recorded 229 tackles (13.5 for loss), seven interceptions, 15 pass breakups and a fumble recovery in his Clemson career from 2020-24. Last season, 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).

–Photo courtesy of Kirby Lee-Imagn Images