CLEMSON – So why did R.J. Mickens return to the Clemson football team for a fifth and final season? Was it because he:

Heeded the advice of his father, a former nine-year NFL veteran?

Believes Clemson will make the College Football Playoff?

Would like a shot at becoming a Thorpe Award finalist?

Wanted to be Tyler Venables’ roommate for a fifth year?

Try all of the above.

“I had a good talk with Coach (Dabo) Swinney, then talked with my dad and prayed about it for a couple of days,” said Mickens, who initially was leaning toward entering the 2024 NFL Draft. “It definitely took some time, but as soon as I knew what I was going to do it just felt right and I was fully committed to that.”

In the midst of the final spring practices of his career, Mickens is more excited than ever about what might be in store for Clemson’s 2024 team.

“I just felt like my freshman year when we made the playoffs I didn’t really contribute,” said Mickens, a graduate student from Southlake, Texas. “I felt like that was something I always wanted to do – play in the playoffs, go to the top of the mountain.

“I feel like we had the team to do that, we just didn’t get it done last year. We’ve got a lot of the key pieces back, and it’s just a big goal of mine, making it there, so that was a big factor into it. I feel like I can still grow a lot personally, on the field and off the field, and felt like this was the right place and where I needed to be.”

So far, so good.

A third-team All-ACC selection by Pro Football Focus as a junior, Mickens enters his final season as the Tigers’ top returning defensive back in games played (47), games started (17), tackles (144), tackles for loss (7.5), passes defended (10) and interceptions (5).

"R.J. Mickens is a playmaker, and he’s got to be on field somewhere," Clemson safeties coach Mickey Conn said. "He’s a really smart, cerebral player. He recognizes formations, and he understands scheme really well."

To that end, Mickens made a career-high nine starts last season despite missing the N.C. State game after having appendix removed. Equally adept against the pass and the run, he ranked third on the team with 50 tackles and is intent on regaining an All-ACC status and contending for the Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back.

His importance as a stabilizing influence this season can't be overstated what with the transfer of Andrew Mukuba and graduation of Jalyn Phillips.

“I’ve just got to be consistent week in and week out,” Mickens said. “Not having a bad week is what I need to do. And I want to win a ring and play on the highest stage.”

Mickens may be from Texas, but having shared time and space with Venables, a fellow graduate safety, for the past four years has helped him feel right at home since his arrival.

“That’s my brother, man,” Mickens said. “I’ve been with him every step of the way. We learn from each other. We both know so much we can pick each other’s brain. It’s just a great relationship to have. We do everything together.”

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Mickens also has had the benefit of gleaning advice from his father, Ray Mickens Sr., who was a standout at Texas A&M before being drafted in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He wound up playing eight seasons with the Jets and one with the Browns before retiring.

R.J. says he calls his father “after almost every practice” and they break down video after every game.

“He’s been a voice of reason for me,” R.J. said. “His advice was to go whenever you know you’re ready.

“He was like, ‘You’ve still got a lot of room to grow, there’s still plays that you could have made, there’s still things you can get better at.’ So I just want to finish strong and go out without any regrets.”

Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @ScottKeepfer

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Why safety R.J. Mickens' return is so important