The former walk-on was the team's "fifth defensive back" earlier in his career, seeing action at both safety positions and at nickel back. He finally received an opportunity to be a full-time starter in 2006, taking over strong safety duties.

Mitchell was a standout wide receiver and defensive back at Mays High School. He had 34 receptions and 65 tackles as a senior and was selected to play in the Florida-Georgia All-Star Game. He also lettered in track, competing in the 200- and 400-meter dashes. He was the state champion in the 400 as a junior and a member of the state championship 4x400 relay team as a junior and senior.

Mitchell enrolled at Ohio State as a walk-on in 2002, spending the season on the scout team. As a redshirt freshman, he posted 19 tackles (12 solos) with a stop for a loss, three pass deflections and an interception while starting three times at free safety. He started twice at free safety while appearing in 12 contests in 2004. He made 15 tackles (eight solos) that year, as he intercepted a pass and deflected two others.

In 2005, Mitchell started three of 11 games at nickel back. He posted 12 tackles (eight solos) and returned an interception 57 yards for a score. As a senior, Mitchell ranked fourth on the team with a career-high 60 tackles (34 solos), adding four stops for losses. He recovered two fumbles, intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown and had four pass break-ups.

In 45 games at Ohio State, Mitchell started 21 contests. He recorded 106 tackles (62 solos) with five stops for losses of 10 yards. He recovered three fumbles and had nine deflected passes. He also intercepted five balls for 116 yards in returns (23.2 avg.) with a pair of touchdowns.

Positives: Has a well-proportioned frame, with a tight waist, tapered thighs and calves, broad shoulders and good muscle definition in his arms and chest … Can carry at least another 15 pounds of bulk without the additional weight affecting his timed speed … Moves with ease from sideline to sideline, and while his pedal needs minor refinement, he shows good ball-anticipation skills and has the ability to maintain his cushion … Shows good field instincts and the ability to comprehend and retain the game plan … Mentally tough player who puts in the extra hours in the film room … Shows good plant-and-drive in transition and is quick to close on the ball … Has a good recovery burst and plays with his head up, doing a nice job of tracking the ball in flight … Times his leaps well and has the second gear to elude opponents on the interception return … Uses his hands adequately to ward off blocks, but is more effective using them to jam and re-route receivers … Shows good desire to hit, but needs to take better angles in pursuit … Does a good job of keeping plays in front of him, and squares his shoulders and drives with his legs to tackle ball carriers with force … Willing to step up and fill the rush lanes, but is better in off coverage … Good contact seeker who has the suddenness to be a decent edge blitzer (not used much in that role at Ohio State though) … Shows the timed speed to cover the deep third of the field.

Negatives: Not a great man coverage defender, as he has the speed, but fails to open his hips and turn cleanly in transition … Takes false steps out of his pedal, causing him to struggle in attempts to mirror on deep routes … Gets caught out of position more often when playing near the line than in the zone (fails to see the ball well in trash) … Active with his hands in attempts to re-route, but needs to use them better in attempts to shed blocks … Better off as a free safety, as he stands too tall near the line and leaves his chest exposed to get pushed back when operating inside the box as a strong safety … Has natural hands and good leaping ability for the interception, but several of his pass deflections could have been picks if he would have timed his leaps better … Doesn't shy away from contact and is generally a wrap-up tackler, but will take a side at times trying to defend vs. the run and ball carriers can easily side-step those hits.

Compares To: Shaun Williams, ex-Carolina -- Mitchell has the quickness and willingness to make the play, but despite his athletic frame he is an inconsistent tackler with impressive speed … He needs to do a better job opening his hips and staying on the receiver's hips in man coverage … He takes good angles in pursuit, but will get bounced around quite a bit trying to make run plays inside the box … He needs to explode out of his cuts better, and the opponent can eat up his cushion, knowing he lacks the hip snap to redirect.

No injuries reported (report unavailable for 2003 season).

Campus: 4.49 in the 40-yard dash … 1.58 10-yard dash … 2.64 20-yard dash … 33-inch vertical jump.

Attended Mays (Atlanta, Ga.) High School, where he was a standout wide receiver and defensive back … Had 34 receptions and 65 tackles as a senior and was selected to play in the Florida-Georgia All-Star Game … Also lettered in track, competing in the 200- and 400-meter dashes … State champion in the 400 as a junior and a member of the state championship 4x400 relay team as a junior and senior.

Graduated in December 2005 with a degree in Political Science, earning Ohio State scholar-athlete honors four times … Plans to enter law school … Born Oct. 26, 1983 … Resides in Atlanta, Ga.