Be on the lookout for an off season update coming very soon. There has been a lot happening in the college football world, and I feel I need to talk about it.
But first, through sheer happenstance thanks to my mother working at the high school he attends, I was able to snag a quick interview Dan Patrick in Sports Illustrated style with one of Arkansas' top recruits for 2011, cornerback Tevin Mitchel. A corner for Legacy High School in Mansfield, TX, Mitchel was tabbed a four star recruit by pretty much every recruiting database and media outlet. He was originally committed to Nebraska, but a late switch to Arkansas helped the Hogs land a top 25 recruiting class. Listed at 6'0, 170 lbs. and with great speed, Mitchel can add to an already formidable Hog secondary for the next few years.
I wanted to get a feel for a high school athlete's mindset as he is about to head off for not only the next level of football, but to a now consistent top 25 team who also happens to play in the best conference in all the land.
Thanks again to my mother for relaying the questions, and for the technology of iPhones. Already wearing red and white, love it.
Tevin Mitchel - image courtesy of Janet Manning.
You were originally committed to Nebraska, what changed your mind?
Tevin Mitchel: Nebraska moved to the Big 10. I thought about it for a minute, and I thought maybe I should go back and play for my home team(Mitchel is originally from Arkansas and his mother still lives there). My mom has never seen me play football before, and it will be nice for me to go play for the Hogs, and can be closer to her and my family.
TM: Being able to meet new people, new friends. My dad told me the friends I meet in college will be my true friends for the rest of my life. I'm looking forward to that.
Do you feel like you can compete for a starting spot right away?
TM: I think I have a chance to get a starting position. If I go in there and work hard, and do what I'm supposed to do and do my studying, I'll be able to see the field early. I have a good chance, I only have a senior on one side and a junior on the other side in front of me.
What was it like playing in the Army All-American game?
TM: I'm glad I got the opportunity to play in that game, it was a great experience. Playing in that game will help me get ready for college. Playing in front of 35 or 40,000 people, kind of got me used to playing in front of a big crowd. It was just a great experience, I met new players, new people, and saw a lot of talent.
Your father, Eric Mitchel, was a successful player at Oklahoma and in the NFL, any added pressure there?
TM: Sometimes. A lot of people thought I was going to commit to Oklahoma because my dad went there, but I wanted to start my own thing. I thought there might be a lot of pressure put on me if I went to OU since he went there. But I wanted to go back to Arkansas.
Did he try to persuade you to be a Sooner?
TM: No not really, he wanted what was best for me, he just wanted me to be happy. Having 19 full ride offers he wanted me to pick the one that was best for me. My mom wasn't trying to force me to go to Arkansas, and my dad wasn't trying to force me to go to Oklahoma. I liked that about them, I'm glad they let me choose which school was right for me.
What do you think the biggest challenge will be playing in the SEC?
TM: Probably the speed of the game. My dad told me that's the biggest thing going from high school to college. I'm working on my speed more than trying to get bigger, they'll put the weight on me. I'm just trying to get my speed up and get ready for the next level.
