It's hard to believe that the 2025 NFL Draft is already here. Next week, we'll find out which Clemson football stars get selected in the NFL Draft and there are sure to be at least a handful.
Although the Tigers haven't quite lived up to the expectations on the field over the past few seasons, they have produced some elite talent in recent draft classes and 2025 should be no different. There aren't many superstars this time around, but Clemson is producing some under-the-radar talent.
One of those overlooked prospects happens to be fifth-year senior RJ Mickens.
The veteran safety began his career at Clemson in 2020 and played 10 games before really taking on a bigger role as a sophomore in 2021. He recorded 30 tackles and two picks that season, leading into an even more successful junior season in which he finished with 48 tackles, three picks, and three pass breakups.
In his final two seasons at Clemson, he finished with a combined 117 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 10 pass breakups. He was one of the most consistent defensive backs in the program.
That consistency led to an elite Pro Football Focus grade that can't be overlooked in this year's NFL Draft. However, he's considered only a Day 3 pick by many experts.
R.J. Mickens earned an ELITE 92.4 PFF Grade over his five seasons at Clemson🐅 pic.twitter.com/1xLbGnqu9q
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 19, 2025
Mickens not only grades out well but he has the production to back it up. He finished his Clemson career with 196 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, seven interceptions, and 12 pass breakups.
Teams looking for a solid mid-round safety with experience and who could far exceed expectations as an underrated safety will be jumping at the opportunity to draft him in rounds 4-5. Mickens is going to make one team very happy next week.