CLEMSON, S.C. — Three Clemson Tigers heard their names called on Saturday during Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Linebacker Barrett Carter was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals, safety R.J. Mickens was picked by the Los Angeles Chargers, and running back Phil Mafah was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
Carter came off the board first, going to the Bengals in the fourth round with the No. 119 overall pick. His selection marks the fourth straight year a Clemson linebacker has been drafted, tying Alabama for the nation’s longest active streak.
During his Clemson career, Carter appeared in 52 games with 40 starts, totaling 254 tackles (31.5 for loss), 12.5 sacks, 24 pass breakups, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. A two-time All-America and All-ACC selection, he logged 2,482 snaps — the most ever by a Clemson linebacker. As a senior, he earned first-team All-ACC honors and became the seventh Butkus Award finalist in program history.
Later in the sixth round, the Chargers selected Mickens with the No. 214 overall pick. With his selection, Clemson has now had at least one defensive back drafted in 13 of Dabo Swinney’s 17 years as head coach.
Mickens finished his Clemson career having played in 60 games with 30 starts from 2020 to 2024. Last season, he set career highs with 85 tackles and 6.0 tackles for loss, while also adding seven pass breakups and two interceptions across 13 starts.
In the seventh round, the Cowboys picked Mafah with the No. 239 overall selection. His pick, following Will Shipley’s selection in last year’s draft, gives Clemson running backs selections in back-to-back drafts for the first time since 2016-17.
Mafah wrapped up his collegiate career with 2,887 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns on 561 carries, along with 58 receptions for 309 yards, across 50 games (21 starts) from 2021-24. He finished ranked ninth in school history in rushing yards and tied for 10th in rushing touchdowns.
Clemson has now had at least one player selected in 23 consecutive NFL Drafts dating back to 2003, the second-longest streak in program history behind a 24-year run from 1951-74. The Tigers are also one of just six programs — along with LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and USC — to produce multiple draft picks in each of the last 23 drafts.
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