Almost a year ago, former Ohio safety Mike Mitchell received a phone call from Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable.
Mike
you ready to be an Oakland Raider? asked Cable. Yes sir Mitchell replied.
He went from being a relatively unknown defensive back in the eyes of the mainstream sports media to the highest-drafted football player ever from Ohio University. Mitchell was also the highest-drafted player in a decade not invited to the NFL Combine.
It was a blessing and a dream come true Mitchell said.
But for the former Bobcat, being drafted was only the beginning of the opportunity given to him and for the upcoming season.
I want to be a beast
I know that sounds vague but that's just me
that's what I was in college and I want to get back to that level
Mitchell said.
The transition to the NFL also presented obstacles.
In college there's a lot of strategy
there's tendencies you have to learn and know but not to the extent that you do at this level
he said. There's a lot of growing up that you have to do and a lot of maturing you have to do.
With Ohio's recent football success and other Bobcats looking forward to the NFL, Mitchell is making sure they stay focused on the task at hand.
I speak to (redshirt senior cornerback) Thad (Turner) about once a week and the biggest thing I tell him is just stay focused
he said. Everyone is going to say
'Hey
that's that Thad Turner guy.' The biggest thing I told him is to stay focused and keep it into perspective.
Last September when Ohio squared off against Connecticut in the season opener, many Ohio football players wore 5 or 50 wristbands referencing Mitchell's story.
When Mitchell got hurt after his junior year and was facing shoulder surgery, his father told him he could train as hard as he could for five months - or he could slack off and end up working a regular job for the next 50 years.
Mitchell was drafted as the 47th overall pick (2nd round) in the 2009 NFL Draft and played in all 16 games his rookie season. He accumulated 16 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
With many draft pundits such as ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. questioning Mitchell's legitimacy as a second round pick, he made it clear that he was not affected by criticism.
I'm trying to be one of the best in the league
