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RJ Mickens announces decision to return to Clemson for 2024 season

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•12/21/23•

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Clemson safety RJ Mickens
© The Independent Mail-USA TODAY NETWORK

Clemson safety RJ Mickens has announced his decision to return for the 2024 season. He took to social media to make the move official, choosing to run it back instead of declare for the NFL Draft.

Mickens was a critical part of the Clemson defense this past year, ranking fourth on the team with 41 tackles to go with 3.0 tackles for loss. It was a solid follow-up to his impressive 2022 campaign in which he totaled 48 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a career-high three interceptions.

“Clemson, you hold a unique and cherished place in my heart,” Mickens wrote. “To the best fans in the nation, your unwavering support has made these years some of the best of my life. Your passion and spirit fuel my determination every day. 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.”

Last week, Dabo Swinney addressed the possibility RJ Mickens could come back and confirmed the plan was for him to graduate. From there, Swinney didn’t know what was next, but he would be more than happy to have Mickens back in the fold.

“As far as I know, he’s graduating,” Swinney said. “We’ve got a bunch of guys graduating and his intention is to go pro, that’s what he said from Day 1. But he’s not — obviously we’d love for him to stay, but I don’t know that he’s made that decision yet. But nothing’s really changed from where he was, at this point. He’s maybe still trying to decide what he wants to do there, whether he wants to go pro or come back for another year or whatever.”

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Players will have the opportunity to solidify their draft stock at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana from February 26 through March 4.

The three-day event will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility.

Last season, 69 players were granted special eligibility for the 2023 NFL Draft. 13 underclassmen who had completed their college degrees were also deemed eligible to be selected.

The deadline to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft is on January 15. NFL teams will receive a full list of eligible players in the class on January 19.