When Ohio University safety Michael Mitchell was the 47th overall draft pick in the NFL Draft last week, no one was expecting it. Even ESPN was unprepared; it had none of his highlights to show the astonished audiences. But Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable, knowing that Mitchell was on many teams' radars, decided he wanted the player he calledprobably the most ferocious hitter in the draft.
And for good reason. Mitchell has had a great career at OU. This season he started in all 11 games he played. He finished the year with 62 tackles, ranking fourth on the team, and he led the team with three interceptions. He ended his college career tied for eighth in the school record for career interception return yardage. Now he can also boast of being the highest-drafted OU player since Gene Ruskowski was picked 44th overall by the Los Angeles Rams in 1948.
In a time when the university is struggling with the budget, student fees are increasing and the economy in general is causing worries, it's great to see an underdog triumph and OU receive positive publicity.
Congratulations, Michael Mitchell.
4 Opinion
Mitchell makes Ohio proud as highest NFL draft pick since 1948
