Recently, you might have heard the name Mike Mitchell mentioned among potential breakout candidates for the Utah Utes in 2024.
Despite already spending a full season with the team, Mitchell’s name and ability have largely flown under the radar.
A four-star running back commit in the Utes' highly touted 2023 recruiting class, Mitchell spent the entirety of his freshman season on the bench.
Not an indication of his ability but rather a testament to Utah’s depth at the position, the team decided to have Mitchell redshirt his first collegiate season. He did however, serve as Utah's scout team back.
In terms of ability, the six-foot running back showed what he could do in high school, playing well enough to earn the ranking of No. 16 running back in the nation by ESPN.
As a starter for Oakleaf and Middleburg HS in Florida, Mitchell finished his career with 240 carries for 2,002 yards. The Florida native’s junior season was by far his best, rushing for 1,378 yards and 18 touchdowns in just eight games.
While the volume isn't as eye-popping as some high school standouts, Mitchell was glaringly efficient, rushing for 8.3 yards per carry, 22 touchdowns, with nine 100-yard games. Moreover, with 22 rushing touchdowns in 240 attempts, nearly 10 percent (9.2%) of his high school carries resulted in a touchdown.
Mitchell’s commitment to Utah came as somewhat of a surprise after in-state programs such as Florida State and Florida made a late push to sign the star back. Despite pressure from these programs, Mitchell remained steadfast, citing Utah’s versatility in running back usage as a key factor in his commitment.
"I love the way they utilize the running backs...They use them to run the ball, catch the ball, and that's what I like to do. That's what I do now. I play slot and I can run the ball and that's why Utah likes me so much is because I'm very versatile. I can do it all and that's what Utah does...the running backs basically do everything. That's why I committed there..."
Nearly a year since his original enrollment, it seems like Mitchell will finally get his chance to make an in-season impact with the Utes.
Seemingly overnight, head coach Kyle Whittingham, offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig, and running backs coach Quinton Ganther have all begun to praise Mitchell’s ability, with Whittingham even designating him as the ‘stand out’ of the team’s first spring practice of 2024.
Mitchell looked explosive and shifty in the Utes' first week of spring practices, traits that are unsurprising considering his lighting-fast 10.81, 100-meter dash. What has changed is Mitchell’s size, as one glance indicates he has benefited from the Utes' strength and conditioning program.
With a linebacker-like build, intimidating straight-line speed, and the ability to make quick cuts through traffic, Mitchell seems to have all the tools necessary to make a name for himself among Utah's running back rotation in 2024.
More must-reads: