Mitchell gets noticed

Who the heck is Joe Mitchell?

That question has been shooting around the city of Houston's recruiting circles the past two months.

Katy (Texas) Morton Ranch athlete Joe Mitchell is having his coming out party after being misused as a junior. The 6-foot-3 Mitchell sat out much of last season as the Mavericks' No. 2 quarterback. Only an injury to a starting safety got him on the field as a junior.

With a new staff, Mitchell has blossomed and is the city's top sleeper. Mitchell will play quarterback as a senior but is a big-time safety prospect, who has already garnered some offers.

"Tulane, Kentucky and Idaho have officially offered Joe," coach Jim Shewmake said. "He is getting heavily recruited by Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Baylor, Utah and Oklahoma right now. Vanderbilt and Miami are also getting in the mix. He's very raw, but very talented. I don't think he has a favorite, but I know he has family in Oklahoma somewhere."

With Mitchell drawing scouts, teammate Owen Michael Venson has also been recognized. The 5-foot-10 running back is projected as cornerback at the Division I level. Venson has several offers including Kentucky, Troy, Idaho, Tulsa, Tulane, Louisiana Tech and North Texas.