Former Southlake Carroll football star RJ Mickens made Clemson fans happy on Thursday after he announced his return to the football program for the 2024 season.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family. Your unwavering support, attending every game possible and being there for me every day has been my source of strength and comfort. You’ve brought clarity and peace into my life in ways I can never truly repay,” Mickens said in a Twitter post.
Added Mickens, “After much thought and prayer, I have decided that I will be returning to Clemson for my final year. This university means the world to me, and we’ve got unfinished business.”
The 2024 season will mark Mickens fifth with Clemson.
Over the past three years, Mickens has recorded 117 tackles with a career high 47 in 2022. He also has five interceptions with three coming in 2022. This season he has 41 tackles, 27 solo tackles and a career high three pass deflections.
The Tigers are 8-4 and will play Kentucky in the Gator Bowl on Dec. 29 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Mickens father is former Texas A&M All-American defensive back Ray Mickens Sr., who would later be drafted by the New York Jets in 1996 and play eight professional seasons.
While at Carroll, Mickens played under coach Riley Dodge and graduated in 2020. He was a 4-year starter and recorded 211 career tackles, eight interceptions and 40 passes defensed and added 61 receptions for 1,092 yards and 14 touchdowns offensively. He was selected to the US Army All-American Bowl and ranked #33 overall in the nation.
