Swinney Updates Injuries for Defensive Backs

During his weekly Tuesday press conference, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney updated the injury status of a few defensive backs ahead of Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech. Swinney said fifth-year safety Jalyn Phillips and fifth-year cornerback Sheridan Jones are both out for the Georgia Tech game. As for senior safety R.J. Mickens, Swinney said there’s […]

Swinney details plan at safety with Mickens out

CLEMSON – The Clemson Tigers are dealing with an injury in the secondary with starting safety R.J. Mickens out after getting his appendix taken out. It’s on short notice, but Wes Goodwin’s defense is prepared to adjust as they have before. Mickens is third on the Tigers in tackles with 32, but his value goes […]

Mickens: ‘No Points Off Turnovers’

CLEMSON – Coming into Saturday’s game against Wake Forest, Clemson had allowed 43 points off of turnovers this season, so it was a point of emphasis to limit points off turnovers. “There’s nothing that equalizes the game more than turnover margins,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. And once again, Clemson lost the turnover margin. […]

Mickens previews Saturday’s challenge for Clemson defense

CLEMSON — The backend of the Clemson Tigers’ defense is yet to be truly tested in 2023, but that changes Saturday in Death Valley. With Florida State coming to town, Mike Norvell’s vertical offense will challenge a veteran secondary in Clemson. One of those players is senior safety R.J. Mickens. Through three games, he’s totaled […]

Mickens says Defense has No-Quit-Mentality

CLEMSON – Fall camp provided an opportunity for a lot of improvements for the ninth-ranked Clemson Tigers. Safety R.J. Mickens sat down with the media on Monday to discuss his thoughts, as the Tigers prepare for the start of the 2023 season at Duke on Sept. 4. –Mickens acknowledged the offense has been challenging the […]

Mickens on Fellow Safety: ‘He’s a Really Special Player’

CLEMSON – The 2022 season was a frustrating one for Clemson safety Andrew Mukuba. Injuries were a constant battle that kept him from delivering at 100% like he wanted to. Entering his junior year, Mukuba preached discipline and is changing the way he looks at everything in his life. His decision making is something Mukuba […]

Klubnik, Mickens Talk Clemson’s Reach in Texas

CLEMSON – The recruiting trail for Clemson spans all across the country, but one state in particular is where the Tigers are bringing in elite talent. Texas, considering it’s one of, if not the biggest state for high school football, is the home of three key contributors. Senior safety R.J. Mickens is a member of […]

Mickens: ‘We’ve got the best quarterback in the conference’

CLEMSON – Clemson enters the 2023 season with a different look at quarterback. Cade Klubnik got two starts under his belt last season, but it’s a different world when he comes in as the starter with the team believing in him as “the guy.” The offense is trending up with Klubnik at the helm, especially […]

Phillips has high praise for fellow safeties

Clemson’s defensive identity has a lot to do with the experience it houses. One of the positions most reflective of that is safety. The trio of Jalyn Phillips, Andrew Mukuba and R.J. Mickens have played nine seasons combined for the Tigers. It’s a large reason why Wes Goodwin has the trust in this unit and […]

‘He’s just dominating guys’: Senior safety says Woods has earned his respect

Count senior Clemson safety R.J. Mickens among those who have been impressed by Peter Woods this spring. Woods, the highly touted true freshman defensive lineman from Alabama, has garnered no shortage of hype and praise this spring. And he has certainly gained the respect of Mickens by what he’s shown on the field during spring […]