Clemson is currently pursuing 2018 tight-end prospect, James Mitchell out of Union high school in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
I recently caught up with James Mitchell to discuss his recruitment. I started off by asking him about his recent visit to Clemson, here’s what he had to say.
“It’s crazy, it’s a wonderful atmosphere, I enjoyed it alot.”
Mitchell clearly enjoyed himself and he came away impressed with Dabo Swinney as well, “He’s (Dabo) a very genuine person, he’s going to be honest with you. He’s a great guy and you can tell everybody loves to play for him. My dads actually a pastor, so him being a religious person that really hits home for us too that he preaches that.”
Mitchell has not had much of a chance to talk to Dabo as his main recruiter is quarterbacks coach, Brad Streeter, whom he frequently speaks to.
“We try and talk at least every couple of weeks.”
Clemson will have their fair share of schools to battle for Mitchell’s services. The Virginia native has offers from 11 schools up and down the East coast. It’s also important to note that he grew up a Hokies fan.
See also: 2019 Virginia linebacker Brandon Smith talks Clemson and recruiting
It seems like once one school offers, they all come looking. Mitchell received a flood of offers earlier in the offseason.
“Well, even dating back into the winter it’s been kinda crazy, I picked up like four or five offers right in one little span there in the winter.”
“It’s been a little slow in the spring as far as new schools, but you know same of the same schools have still been contacting me. Overall it’s been pretty exciting.”
There are a few schools putting the full-court press on Mitchell at the moment.
“I’d say Duke, Virginia Tech and Tennessee are recruiting me the hardest at the moment.”
Mitchell is not the first and won’t be the last prospect that Clemson and Tennessee will hash it out over.
See also: Vols fans react to losing recruits to Clemson
James Mitchell isn’t looking to go somewhere solely because their team has had success in the past. He is looking to go to a well balanced program and excel off of the field just as much as on it.
“I wanna get a good education of course, and then I want to go somewhere that has good genuine people because you don’t wanna go somewhere and not like the people you are around.”
“Then, I want to fit in with my teammates and just outside of football as well being able to make new friends stuff like that, fitting in and even in football with the system.”
I’d say he’s taking the right approach to choosing a college.
On the football side of things, Clemson appears like a good fit for Mitchell. I asked him if the coaches have explained to him what role he would play in the offense.
“Most of the time they say like a tight end kind of like Jordan Leggett played that’s where they see me at.”
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At 6’4, 220 pounds with the athleticism that James Mitchell has, it appears he would thrive in Clemson’s spread attack.
From talking with Mitchell, it is clear that he fits the profile of a Clemson player, he is selfless and eager for competition.
“I’m going to compete in practice, games, whatever, I’m not going to shy away from competition that sort of thing. Honestly I want to get better at blocking, because you have to be able to do everything in college. I feel like I can catch pretty good, I’m just going to go out there and compete and be a good teammate.”
While he doesn’t plan to get back up to Clemson for their spring game, Mitchell is definitely looking forward to an official visit with the Tigers in the fall. Mitchell will also been in attendance at Virginia Tech’s spring game on April 8th.
One things for sure, the Tigers have made a strong impression on Mitchell in their limited contact with him. Mitchell was wowed on a visit to Clemson during his sophomore year.
“I remember I went to Clemson as a sophomore and all the recruits got off the bus and their fans started chanting one of their cheers at us as we got off the bus. I thought that was a neat experience.”
Mitchell does not have a timetable for when he will come to a decision, but, he will be trimming down his list of schools in August.
With the support of his parents and coaches, Mitchell will surely make the right decision when choosing a school.