ARKANSAS VS. JACKSONVILLE ST.

New role makes Mitchell happy

Arkansas junior Brandon Mitchell (17), who was a backup quarterback last season, has moved to the top of the depth chart as a receiver, a move he says “feels great.”
Arkansas junior Brandon Mitchell (17), who was a backup quarterback last season, has moved to the top of the depth chart as a receiver, a move he says “feels great.”

— Brandon Mitchell has a good reason to show off his infectious smile these days.

Mitchell, a fourth-year junior, was revealed as a starter Monday after spending the past two seasons as a backup quarterback behind Tyler Wilson and Ryan Mallett.

Mitchell, 6-4, 235 pounds, is not the starting quarterback. That’s Wilson’s job, though Mitchell could still be in position to take snaps at quarterback behind Wilson and redshirt freshman Brandon Allen if needed.

But Mitchell is in line to catch passes from Wilson after moving to the top of the depth chart at slot receiver.

“It feels great to actually really be a contributor,”Mitchell said earlier in camp. “It’s been great being a leader behind Tyler and being able to contribute from a leadership standpoint in back of the quarterback.

“But actually getting out there and making plays and making a difference in the game, that’s been a great aspect.”

Mitchell played in nine games last season, completing 22 of 32 passes for 271 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception, last season after appearing in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2010.

Now, he stands to add experience and a quarterback’s intellect to the first huddle.

“It tells you a lot about the kind of person he is - very unselfish,” Wilson said. “To be in the quarterback group for three years and then say, ‘Hey, I’m going to play receiver,’ it takes an extra special guy to do that.”

Mitchell moved up the depth chart by using his big frame to work seams, go over the middle and cut in front of linebackers to present Wilson with a sizable target.

“He’s just had a great fall camp,” Coach John L. Smith said. “He creates some problems for people.”

Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino said Mitchell’s big body gives Arkansas a boost in the running game.

“It gives us a lot of benefits there, as well as in the passing game,” Petrino said. “And when he catches it, guys bounce off of him rather than him taking a pretty good lick.

“There’s lots of advantages to having a 235-pound, 6-4 receiver in there.”

Mitchell’s emergence has bolstered a spot left vacant by the departure of Joe Adams, a fourth-round NFL Draft pick, and potential big-play sophomore Marquel Wade, who is off the team after his felony burglary arrest in May.

Mitchell, junior Julian Horton and true freshman Keon Hatcher are all listed at the same receiver spot.

Adjusting to the receiver’s responsibility of running hard on every play, fighting through jams and taking hits seemed to come second nature to Mitchell.

“I’m moving a lot faster than I thought I would have,” Mitchell said. “It’s been a little bit easier transition than it might have been and I’m just enjoying it. It goes to the great coaching I’ve been getting.”

Mitchell gained visibility on campus last winter, when he provided a spark to basketball Coach Mike Anderson’s Razorbacks by averaging 3.5 points and 2.3 rebounds and bringing a big dose of energy off the bench.

“He’s a ballplayer,” Anderson said. “That’s what you call a ballplayer. Any ball you put out there with him. He probably can hit a baseball, too.”

Mitchell hasn’t been afraid to show enthusiasm. He has been seen shouting to defenders after scoring “Another touchdown!” and telling them it was too easy during a productive team period on the intramural fields.

“A lot of guys, I played basketball with them in the summer, and I’d tell them ... I can score on you if I want to,” Mitchell said. “Actually doing it now, they get a little frustrated. But it’s fun to tell them about it and remind them that I told them I could score on them.”Brandon Mitchell at a glance POS. Receiver/QB HT./WT. 6-4, 235 pounds CLASS Redshirt junior HOMETOWN Amite, La.

MAJOR Sports management BIO Starred in football and basketball in high school and was offered a scholarship by then-Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson. Chose the Razorbacks over LSU, Michigan, Mississippi State and Tulsa. Completed 1 of 3 passes for 16 yards, rushed twice and served three games on special teams as a redshirt freshman. Completed 22 of 32 passes for 271 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT last season and ran for touchdowns against New Mexico and Vanderbilt.

Added a jolt off the bench for Coach Mike Anderson’s first Arkansas basketball team by playing in 10 games and averaging 3.5 points and 2.3 rebounds.

Sports, Pages 15 on 08/28/2012

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