RJ Mickens on recent visits, coaching changes
FRISCO, Tex. -- If RJ Mickens looked as though he was the intended receiver on a first half interception he returned for a touchdown in Southlake Carroll’s playoff win over Arlington on Saturday, he might as well have been. He had been going over that play all week.
“I just saw it coming,” he said. “We had worked it all week in practice and I just made a play on the ball. I wasn’t going to get tackled. I told myself I wasn’t going to go down.”
That ability and determination has long been on the minds of the extensive list of programs that have already been seriously recruiting the 2020 defensive back. To this point, he’s been known as a cornerback, but he has been playing more safety for Carroll this season, and he feels as though the reps have been time well-spent.
“I feel like I’ve done good,” he said. “I can still improve at safety - I’m still trying to learn the position. I feel like I can play any defensive back position … and that helps my value I feel like.”
Of course, that list of interested programs includes a few that have seen some big headlines surrounding the current and potential head coaches.
IN HIS WORDS
On Notre Dame, where he visited for game against NC State
“Coach (Brian) Kelly is a great person,” he said. “I actually like the cold weather, the whole atmosphere, the stadium, the fans, it was a really nice environment.”
On Oregon, who offered on November 12
“I feel like Oregon is coming up really big,” he said. “With Verone (McKinley) going there, that’s a big commitment and he’s a good friend of mine. Coach (Charles) Clark is a nice, cool guy, so that’s a big offer.”
On talks of Ducks head coach Willie Taggart taking the Florida State position
“I hear it all, but I’m not thinking about that too much right now.”
On Texas A&M, where he visited in early October
“I know Jimbo Fisher has done a great job at Florida State,” he said. “I mean, of course - he’s getting paid the most at A&M right now, so I have a feeling he’s going to get over there and do great things.”
RIVALS REACTION
Mickens said that he is going to try and find his way to visit several of the teams interested in him in the offseason, with the schools discussed taking priority at the moment. It makes sense that he’s not overly concerned about which coaches land where with so much time still left in his recruitment. In the meantime, he continues to show growth and potential as a top-tier defensive back in 2020.