For 46 consecutive games, Mickens was establishing his reputation as one of the premier pass coverage defenders in college football. It seemed certain that big things would happen, but covering a deep route in the 2008 Louisville contest, Mickens felt a pop in his left knee. Tests after the game revealed that he suffered a torn meniscus and cartilage damage. The injury would sideline him for the final three regular-season games. He would return for the postseason tilt vs. Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, but he was not 100 percent after undergoing arthroscopic surgery.

He would also have to pull out of the Senior Bowl, as he experienced swelling in the knee during practices in Mobile. He also was unable to work out at the Scouting Combine in February.

Mickens was a two-time All-Greater Western Ohio Conference cornerback at Wayne High School. He helped the Warriors to a 24-9 record and two league titles during his three seasons. He amassed 205 tackles and 10 interceptions, blocked four field goals and returned a kickoff for a touchdown during his career.

The talented athlete also excelled in track, becoming the state 300-meter hurdles champion as a junior. He was also part of the school's 4x400 meter relay team, helping them to a second-place finish at the state finals during his sophomore year.

Upon Mickens' arrival at Cincinnati, it was evident that he was going to be something special. He did not play in the Rutgers game, but went on to start 10 games at right cornerback for the Bearcats in 2005. The Freshman All-American second-team pick by Football News, he deflected 14 passes and intercepted another that year. He also finished sixth on the team with 51 tackles (38 solos), making 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage.

As a sophomore, Mickens shifted to left cornerback. Constantly challenged by opposing quarterbacks, he made them pay by pulling down three interceptions to go with 15 pass breakups. He again finished sixth on the team with 59 tackles (39 solos), but was more involved in run support than he was as a freshman, registering a sack, 2.5 stops for loss and a forced fumble. His 18 total passes defended ranked eighth in the nation, earning him All-Big East Conference second-team recognition.

Mickens was named All-American and All-Big East Conference first-team as a junior. He combined with fellow cornerback DeAngelo Smith to register 14 interceptions, the most by a cornerback duo in the major college ranks in 2007. Mickens' six pass thefts rank second on the school single-season record list, as he brought two of those thefts back for scores, gaining 136 return yards. He delivered 53 tackles (33 solos) and deflected six passes while also recovering a fumble.

The 2008 Thorpe Award semifinalist and preseason All-American managed to earn All-Big East Conference second-team honors as a senior, despite missing three late season games. He gained 158 yards (fourth-best season total in the Big East) on four interceptions, scoring for the third time in his career on interceptions. He added ten pass deflections and two stops behind the line of scrimmage, as his career-high 70 tackles (46 solos) ranked second on the squad.

Positives: Legitimate cover corner. … Possesses the quick feet and smooth hip turn to change direction and blanket his assignment. … Often forces the quarterback to go to his second option. … Reads the action quickly and gets an excellent break on the ball. … Cognizant defender. … Experienced in man and zone coverage with the combination of athleticism and instincts to play in either scheme at the next level. … Has a second gear to close and uses his long arms well to deflect passes. … Physical enough to make a big hit after his man makes the catch. … Improved hands for the interception in 2007 and has 14 picks and 44 pass breakups over his career. … Natural with the ball in his hands, returning two of his six interceptions for touchdowns last season. … Quick to come up in run support, even when pressing in man coverage, and flashes physicality that belies his frame. … Coachable. … Very confident in his ability. … Plays with attitude, will not back down from any receiver. … Leads by example on the field.

Negatives: Feasts on hastily thrown passes in zone coverage behind a dominant pass rush. … Must improve his ability to beat running back blocks when on the blitz. … A bit tall and stiff in his backpedal, which can make it hard for him to recover when the receiver runs a quick out. … While physical, Mickens has a tendency to lead with his shoulder when making a big hit, instead of wrapping up securely. … Left knee injury that cost him three games in 2008 and sidelined him for the Senior Bowl and Scouting Combine is a significant concern.

Mickens started all 47 games that he played in for Cincinnati; 10 at right cornerback and 37 on the left side … Recorded 233 tackles (156 solos) with a 6-yard sack and eight stops for losses totaling 28 yards … Caused one fumble and recovered two others … Deflected 45 passes … Set the school career records with 14 interceptions for 296 yards in returns (21.14 avg), topping the old Bearcats marks of 12 thefts by Blue Adams (1998-2002) and 263 yards by Jocelyn Borgella (1990-93) … His 14 interceptions tied Sean Taylor of Miami (2001-03), Anthony Smith of Syracuse (2002-05) and Willie Pile of Virginia Tech (1999-2002) for fourth in Big East history, topped by Ed Reed of Miami (21, 1998-2001), Aaron Beasley of West Virginia (18, 1992-95) and Trae Williams of South Florida (15, 2005-07) … His 296 yards gained on his interceptions placed fourth in Big East annals behind Reed (389, 1998-2001), Beasley (341, 1992-95) and Sean Taylor of Miami (306, 2001-03) … Returned three of his pass thefts for touchdowns, tying the school career record that was first set by Shawn Ferguson (1995-98) … His three touchdown returns are one shy of the conference all-time record of four scores by Reed … His six interceptions in 2007 rank tenth in Big East history and are topped only by teammate DeAngelo Smith's eight in the same year … Gained 158 yards on his four 2008 interceptions, the 10th-best season total in league history and placed fourth on the school annual record books behind Joe Morrison (175 in 1956), Jocelyn Borgella (171 in 1992) and John Mooth (159 in 1951) … Averaged 39.5 yards on his four interceptions in 2008, the fifth-best season average in Big East history … His 79-yard interception return vs. South Florida in 2007 was the eighth-longest pass theft runback in school annals.

All-Big East Conference second-team selection … Semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award … Started eleven games at left cornerback, including the team's first ten contests … Suffered a left knee torn meniscus and cartilage damage vs. Louisville, undergoing arthroscopic surgery that would sideline Mickens for the final three regular season games … Still produced the fourth-best interception return yardage total (158) in school history, as one of his four pass thefts were returned for a touchdown … Deflected ten passes and ranked second on the team with 70 tackles (46 solos), including two stops for losses totaling 6 yards.

Oklahoma … Mickens posted four tackles (3 solos), but missed his assignment on QB Sam Bradford's 27-yard scoring strike to Ryan Broyles in the first quarter … He tipped a Bradford pass that was picked off by the Bearcats' Brad Jones at the Cincinnati 29 midway through the second stanza.

Miami (Oh.) … The left cornerback followed with seven tackles (5 solos) … He picked off a third quarter Daniel Raudabaugh third-&-6 pass at the Bearcats' 22, weaving through traffic en route to a 72-yard touchdown return.

Akron … Mickens followed with a career-high fourteen tackles (12 solos), as he also broke up three passes, including a third-&-7 toss midway through the first quarter that forced the Zips to settle for a 26-yard field goal to salvage some points from that 15-play, 76-yard series … He brought out the Akron punting unit after batting down a third-&-4 pass on the first possession of the second half … In the fourth quarter, Mickens sniffed out a screen pass and tackled receiver Andre Jones for a 4-yard loss.

Marshall … The senior pass defender delivered nine tackles with a stop behind the line of scrimmage, as he deflected two passes and intercepted another … He captured Darius Marshall for a 2-yard loss on a late first quarter rushing attempt and later in that frame, he knocked a third-&-12 pass that was intended for receiver Darius Passmore to the ground …

With 0:24 left in the first half, he intercepted a Mike Cann pass at the Cincinnati 18.

Connecticut … Mickens posted six tackles (3 solos) and broke up a pass … He killed a late first quarter series by tackling receiver Ellis Gaulden on a third-&-5 catch that netted just 4 yards.

South Florida … Mickens managed just three tackles, but set up a Cincinnati scoring drive when he intercepted a Matt Grothe third-&-12 pass that he returned 58 yards to the USF 14.

West Virginia … For the second time in 2008, Mickens reached double digit tackles, coming up with eleven hits (8 solos) and a pass break-up while assisting on a stop behind the line of scrimmage … He clobbered Jock Sanders on a screen pass for a 1-yard loss on the game's opening drive.

Louisville … MIckens produced six tackles (5 solos) and picked off a Hunter Cantwell third-&-6 pass that he returned 28 yards to the Louisville 28 in the third quarter, but suffered a left knee meniscus tear in the fourth frame … The injury would require arthroscopic surgery to repair, forcing him to sit out the Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Hawaii games.

Virginia Tech (Orange Bowl) … Returned to action, closing out his career with five tackles (3 solos) and a pass deflection.

Earned All-American first-team honors from the Football Writers Association and was named to the All-Big East Conference first-team … Along with cornerback counterpart DeAngelo Smith, they combined for fourteen interceptions to be the top duo in the Football Bowl Subdivision … Mickens finished tied for third in the league and ranked 12th nationally with six interceptions, good for 136 yards in returns (22.7 avg) and a pair of touchdowns … Tied for 72nd in the country, with 12 passes defended (six interceptions, six pass break-ups) … Also recorded 53 tackles (33 solos) with a stop for a 1-yard loss and recovered a fumble.

Opened the season with two interceptions, including a 45-yard return for a touchdown, and six tackles to earn Big East Defensive Player of the Week vs. Southeast Missouri State … Received Big East Honor Roll plaudits after making a fumble recovery, seven tackles and an interception vs. Marshall … Posted three solo tackles and had a 9-yard interception return vs. Marshall … Recorded nine tackles at Pittsburgh and returned an interception 79 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, also making a leaping pass break-up in the end zone with two seconds remaining to preserve the 38-33 win over South Florida … Intercepted a pass and tallied three stops vs. West Virginia … Collected three solo stops and an assist vs. Southern Mississippi in the Papajohns.com Bowl.

Mickens earned second-team All-Big East Conference honors, starting all thirteen games at left cornerback … Finished sixth on the squad with 59 tackles (39 solos) that included a 6-yard sack, 2.5 stops for minus 8 yards and one quarterback pressure … Intercepted three passes and deflected fifteen others … His total of eighteen passes defended ranked second in the conference and eighth in the nation … Also recovered and caused a fumble.

Mickens had four tackles and all three of his pass break-ups came on third-down plays vs. Pittsburgh … Posted four tackles in each of the next two games vs. Ohio State and Virginia Tech … Had six stops (5 solos) vs. Miami (Oh.) and followed with five hits while breaking up a pair of passes in the Akron clash … Totaled nine hits (8 solos) vs. Louisville and had two pass deflections with a 6-yard sack vs. South Florida … Broke up four Mike Teel passes and intercepted two others in a 30-11 defeat of Rutgers … Posted six tackles (3 solos) with a stop for a loss and a pass deflection in the season finale vs. Connecticut … Registered three solo tackles and had a 2-yard interception return in a 27-24 decision over Western Michigan in the International Bowl.

Second-team Freshman All-American choice by Football News … All-Big East Conference second-team pick and named the Bearcats' Defensive Newcomer of the Year … Started ten regular season games at right cornerback, ranking second in the nation with fifteen passes defended (14 break-ups, one interception) … Added 51 tackles (38 solos) with 2.5 stops for minus 13 yards.

Launched his career with a five-tackle performance in the season opener vs. Eastern Michigan … Recorded eight tackles, seven of them solos, at Penn State … Posted a season-high 11 tackles at Miami (Oh) … Registered his first career interception to help seal the win over Connecticut.

2008: Suffered left knee cartilage damage and a torn meniscus vs. Louisville (11/14), missing the team's final three regular season games vs. Pittsburgh (11/22), Syracuse (11/29) and Hawaii (12/06).

2009: Pulled out of the Senior Bowl after his left knee experienced inflammation during practices, and was unable to work out at the Combine.

Campus: 4.53 in the 40-yard dash … 1.53 10-yard dash … 2.62 20-yard dash … 4.17 20-yard shuttle … 6.94 three-cone drill … 35.5-inch vertical jump … 9'11" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times … 31 1/2-inch arm length … 9 3/4-inch hands.

Combine: Did not work out while recovering from left knee injury.

Attended Wayne (Huber Heights, Oh.) High School, playing football for head coach Jay Minton … Two-time All-Greater Western Ohio Conference cornerback … Helped the Warriors to a 24-9 record and two league titles during his three seasons … Amassed 205 tackles and 10 interceptions, blocked four field goals and returned a kickoff for a touchdown during his career … Also excelled in track, becoming the state 300-meter hurdles champion as a junior … Part of the school's 4x400 meter relay team, helping them to a second-place finish at the state finals during his sophomore year.

Criminal Justice major … Son of Marsha Mickens … Born Michael Craig Mickens on 7/24/87 … Resides in Huber Heights, Ohio.