Ahmir Mitchell (image via MLive)
Name: Ahmir Mitchell
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: Egg Harbor City (NJ) Cedar Creek
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #2
Last year: Mitchell was a senior in high school (LINK). He caught 30 passes for 359 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he ran for 3 touchdowns.
Final TTB Rating: 79
Mitchell was a big-time recruit out of New Jersey who was wanted by a lot of powerhouses like Florida State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. Oh, and Rutgers. Brady Hoke started recruiting him a few years ago as a safety, but as time wore on, it became clearer that he looked more like a wide receiver . . . with one caveat: questionable hands. He has at various times been described as someone who fights the ball and is inconsistent catching it. Michigan earned his pledge in August, and he enrolled in January.
This spring Mitchell was at times running with the twos at wideout. I think that was partially due to some depth issues that may be fixed in the fall when some other guys return healthy. There have been rumors that off-the-field issues have arisen, so that could be another obstacle to overcome for the fall. I don’t know if Mitchell will find his way to the field this season or not, but he does provide a big, athletic body with some blocking ability. With Brad Hawkins, Jr. heading to prep school, Mitchell is the lone freshman receiver who is clearly headed for the split end or flanker position.
Prediction: Backup wide receiver, possible redshirt
You need to login in order to vote
I’m not seeing this one. Outside WR is set in the 2 deep and then there’s all these freshman with better hands, more speed, elusiveness, polish and big play potential than Mitchell. Hard to imagine him being a major contributor under any circumstance, even if he makes it to campus and doesn’t switch to safety. He also seems far more likely to red-shirt than some of the freshman ranked before him.
I’d have Mitchell no higher than the 70s.
You need to login in order to vote
I’m not really sure outside WR is “set” beyond the starters. You’d expect Harris and Ways to be getting the majority of snaps at the second spots, but that’s based more on having been here longer than on proven performance. I think things are wide open after Chesson and Darboh, and that just about anyone could slide into the 3 and 4 spots. I do agree that Mitchell is one of the least likely to do so, though
You need to login in order to vote
I agree. Drake Harris hasn’t shown much, and Moe Ways hasn’t, either – and he’s coming off a broken foot, so we don’t know how healthy or in shape he’ll be.
You need to login in order to vote
I just mean it’s set in terms of having enough options. Remember Harbaugh/Drevno don’t use a lot of receivers in the first place (this is where TE/H-back/FB numbers come from). We have 3 proven players, but also Ways and Harris and all these freshman — plenty of talented bodies to back them up. Mitchell is neither needed for a backup role, nor does he appear poised to be an immediate play-maker. I do agree that there is an opportunity for a 3rd WR to emerge. I do agree that it’s open. But it’s MORE open for an slot-type WR or inside/outside guy like Crawford or McDoom.
I think with Harris it’s more about his talent level than how long he’s been here. With Ways, OK, but at least he’s had generally positive practice reports. They both seem clearly ahead of Mitchell at this point.
I wouldn’t put Mitchell this high given the circumstances just for roster reasons. Then you add the off-field questions and possibility of moving to DB…
You need to login in order to vote