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Alex Mitchell didn't have the opportunity to play college football in his hometown when he was being recruited out of Riverdale.
Four years later, he was given that chance to come to Middle Tennessee State in his final year of eligibility and jumped at the opportunity.
The 6-foot-1, 237-pound inside linebacker will try to make an impact in his one year with the Blue Raiders after transferring from Chattanooga.
"He's fit in very well," said MTSU coach Derek Mason, following Wednesday's spring practice. "We thought he was one who not only played a lot of football, but played at a high level. The production is what you needed it to be, the leadership is what you needed it to be. For him, he wanted to come back home. I think it was a good match, a good marriage, in terms of what it looks like.
"And he's done nothing to disappoint since he's stepped on the football field here."
Mitchell, rated by 247Sports as a three-star transfer, entered the portal after a successful run at Chattanooga, including playing in (and starting most) of the team's 34 games during his three years. As a junior he had a team-leading 101 tackles (7.5 for loss), two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
While he had several offers, including from the Power 4 conferences, Mitchell chose to come back to Murfreesboro.
"It's been a great experience coming back here," Mitchell said. "My family and friends have been a great support system for me, and I think that's really a true reason why I wanted to come back. I wanted to have the support around me.
"I always came to the (MTSU) games as a kid and grew up being an MT fan. I think it's just a blessing for me."
The defensive MVP on The Daily News Journal's 2021 all-area team, Mitchell led Riverdale with 86 tackles (17 for loss), 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, one caused fumble and one fumble recovery as Riverdale had five shutouts and held four other opponents to seven points or less. He scored four defensive TDs his senior season.
But he wasn't recruited by MTSU coming out of high school. His top offers were Army, Chattanooga, Georgetown, Eastern Kentucky, Troy and Austin Peay.
MORE: MTSU football schedule 2025 announced: See the game dates, opponents, including Wisconsin
"I definitely would have come here out of high school, if recruited," Mitchell said. "It was a different staff and different people here now. I think it's great. I'm glad to be here."
Mason, who has followed Mitchell's career since he was in high school, said he has worked well with fellow inside linebacker Parker Hughes.
"Just production," said Mason, when asked what stood out about Mitchell. "When he jumped in the transfer portal ... you know, we want to keep Tennessee kids at home. That's how SMU has been able to bring it back. They take care of their home state.
MORE: MTSU football recruiting class 2025: See the Blue Raiders' signees
"I think (his strength) is patience. He knows how to be quick, but not in a hurry. As a backer, it's about key and diagnose. Two wrong steps and you're out of position. He understands what he's looking at, he reads his keys and he communicates with Parker at a high level. Those guys, where they are in their careers, are focused on playing really good football. They hold each other accountable as to how they play every day."
Mitchell's goals for the fall are simple and effective.
"I want to be a leader on this defense," he said. "I want to be a great communicator and a great tackler. I think I can bring these guys along and we can have a great defense this year."
Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Alex Mitchell set to make impact for MTSU football at linebacker
Continue reading...
Four years later, he was given that chance to come to Middle Tennessee State in his final year of eligibility and jumped at the opportunity.
The 6-foot-1, 237-pound inside linebacker will try to make an impact in his one year with the Blue Raiders after transferring from Chattanooga.
"He's fit in very well," said MTSU coach Derek Mason, following Wednesday's spring practice. "We thought he was one who not only played a lot of football, but played at a high level. The production is what you needed it to be, the leadership is what you needed it to be. For him, he wanted to come back home. I think it was a good match, a good marriage, in terms of what it looks like.
"And he's done nothing to disappoint since he's stepped on the football field here."
Mitchell, rated by 247Sports as a three-star transfer, entered the portal after a successful run at Chattanooga, including playing in (and starting most) of the team's 34 games during his three years. As a junior he had a team-leading 101 tackles (7.5 for loss), two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
While he had several offers, including from the Power 4 conferences, Mitchell chose to come back to Murfreesboro.
"It's been a great experience coming back here," Mitchell said. "My family and friends have been a great support system for me, and I think that's really a true reason why I wanted to come back. I wanted to have the support around me.
"I always came to the (MTSU) games as a kid and grew up being an MT fan. I think it's just a blessing for me."
MTSU linebacker Alex Mitchell wasn't Blue Raider target in high school
The defensive MVP on The Daily News Journal's 2021 all-area team, Mitchell led Riverdale with 86 tackles (17 for loss), 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, one caused fumble and one fumble recovery as Riverdale had five shutouts and held four other opponents to seven points or less. He scored four defensive TDs his senior season.
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But he wasn't recruited by MTSU coming out of high school. His top offers were Army, Chattanooga, Georgetown, Eastern Kentucky, Troy and Austin Peay.
MORE: MTSU football schedule 2025 announced: See the game dates, opponents, including Wisconsin
"I definitely would have come here out of high school, if recruited," Mitchell said. "It was a different staff and different people here now. I think it's great. I'm glad to be here."
Mason, who has followed Mitchell's career since he was in high school, said he has worked well with fellow inside linebacker Parker Hughes.
"Just production," said Mason, when asked what stood out about Mitchell. "When he jumped in the transfer portal ... you know, we want to keep Tennessee kids at home. That's how SMU has been able to bring it back. They take care of their home state.
MORE: MTSU football recruiting class 2025: See the Blue Raiders' signees
"I think (his strength) is patience. He knows how to be quick, but not in a hurry. As a backer, it's about key and diagnose. Two wrong steps and you're out of position. He understands what he's looking at, he reads his keys and he communicates with Parker at a high level. Those guys, where they are in their careers, are focused on playing really good football. They hold each other accountable as to how they play every day."
Mitchell's goals for the fall are simple and effective.
"I want to be a leader on this defense," he said. "I want to be a great communicator and a great tackler. I think I can bring these guys along and we can have a great defense this year."
Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Alex Mitchell set to make impact for MTSU football at linebacker
Continue reading...
