Cali juco WR makes SEC visit

Kentucky has upgraded its offense in recent years by importing junior college wide receivers like Aaron Boone and Chris Bernard from the West.

The Wildcats are at it again this year, making a strong push for one of California’s top junior college wide receivers.

Three-star Walnut (Calif.) Mount San Antonio wideout Scott Mitchell (6-3, 210, 4.45) made an official visit to Lexington this past weekend.

“The trip went real well,” he said. “I didn’t expect to have that much fun. It was kind of surprising. The city and campus are real nice, and you can tell it’s all about the Wildcats there. The people were really nice.

“Glenn Holt, one of their wide receivers, was my host for the weekend. He was cool. We got to hang out with some of the other players and go out on the town. I was kind of the oddball, being from California. Everybody else they have is from Georgia and Florida. But I felt like I fit in pretty well with them.”

Mitchell, who originally signed with New Mexico and had a redshirt year there before transferring to Mount San Antonio, also has offers from Arizona State, Iowa State, Texas A&M, Oregon State and San Diego State. He has two years eligibility remaining.

“My top three right now are Kentucky, Arizona State and Texas A&M,” he said. “I’ve visited Kentucky and Arizona State, and I got to Texas A&M this weekend. I’ll be making a decision pretty soon. Probably around the 17th, when we can sign.”

Asked how Kentucky originally got involved with him, Mitchell laughed.

“That was a question I had for them as well,” he said. “It kind of surprised me at first, a team from the SEC calling to ask about me. But apparently they were recruiting a defensive end from L.A. Valley College, and I had a big game that day we played them. I think they asked coach for some film, and they’ve been recruiting me hard ever since.

“I like their coaching staff. I get along real well with them. They’re up-front guys, and pretty funny, too. I like coach Hudson a lot.”

Mitchell’s season at Mount San Antonio was cut short by an injury. He tore ligaments in his thumb in the fourth game of the season.

“I had 18 catches for 250 yards and three touchdowns when it happened,” he said. “I was off to a real good start.”

He was recently cleared to begin working out and catching passes again.

Mitchell said the UK staff is selling him on the opportunity to come in and be a much-needed playmaker for the offense. The Wildcats are losing their top two receivers – Derek Abney (51-616, 5 touchdowns) and Bernard (33-532, 5 TD) – to graduation.

“They said they’re pretty young, and they need someone like me to come in and help them right away,” he said. “There’s a lot of pluses with Kentucky right now. I see a team with some good, young players and a lot of potential. They have great facilities. They play in a great conference and get a lot of exposure. It would be fun to play against people like Florida and Georgia and Auburn and Alabama. I think their program could be ready to make a big run.”