Mitchell talks top eight

Rivals100 wide receiver Ahmir Mitchell is making a lot of progress in his recruitment. The Egg Harbor City (N.J.) Cedar Creek star has a top eight of Florida State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Rutgers, South Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Mitchell claims that there isn't a leader in this group but there is plenty to like about each.

Florida State- "The receiver position isn't really too stacked," said the 6-foot-2, 197-pound Mitchell. "The receivers starting now will be juniors by the time I'm there so I'll have an opportunity to play pretty early. It was an offer that exploded me and my recruiting process because I really didn't have too many offers then. Them coming off a national championship and offering me put me one the map a little bit more."

Michigan- "Getting that offer was big," he said. "The new coaching staff came in and are still recruiting me hard. Even when they didn't have all their coaches in place, they still visited my school. I know that I'm a priority. I'm always talking to the coaches. Having an opportunity to be coached by Jim Harbaugh is a unique opportunity."

Michigan State- "I've seen in previous years how they will feed the ball to their receivers and playmakers," Mitchell said. "It was really interesting to see how they found ways to get Tony Lippett involved. As a receiver, they really give you an opportunity to perform there and help you get to the next level. That's one of the main things I've seen along with having a great relationship with the coaches. Them not having many receivers gives me an opportunity to play early there. Cameron Chambers and I haven't really talked about both of us going there."

Ohio State- "From just talking to Kareem Walker, Jarrett Guarantano and other people that have visited so far, they talk really highly about them," he said. "I talk to the coaches every single day so we have a very good relationship. They're communicating with me to show that I'm a priority. It's a great school, a great university and they offer a great degree. It's a good place to be outside of football. Once I take visit I'll get a better look."

Notre Dame- "They definitely need wide receivers there," said Mitchell. "That was my biggest thing with them. That's another coaching staff I talk to every single day. Speaking to coach Kelly and talking to the position coach, I know they're in need of wide receivers. They offer a great degree outside of football. They're the number one business program in the nation and that's big for me because that could possibly be my major."

South Carolina- "They are another team that is 'down' on offense," he said. "They weren't really thriving and didn't have too many receivers. There is also an opportunity to come in and play right away, which is my main focus. They really do offer that. They have a great fan base and atmosphere too. The support system is strong there. My cousin, Kaiwan Lewis, the linebacker that just transferred to Rutgers, has only told me great things about South Carolina so that shows the kind of school and program it is."

Rutgers- "The Rutgers staff is recruiting me the hardest by far," Mitchell said. "I talk to the coaches every day. They visit the school any chance they get. They're always there. They are really coming after Kareem, Jarrett, Rashan, me and a bunch of other guys. They're telling us stuff about how it could be if we all were to go to Rutgers. It's a great school, a great coaching staff and there's an opportunity to come in and start. We all look at Rutgers and they're always in the conversation. We're all working on a date to go up there for a visit within the next two weeks."

Virginia Tech- "My thing with Virginia Tech is that they play guys early," he said. "Some of their receivers were freshmen. They had a freshman running back play. They said 85-percent of their points last year came from freshmen. That was big and that's something the no other program really showed me. I talk to their coaches every single day and they visit my school a lot just like Rutgers. They've made me feel like I'm a priority to them."

Are there any schools sticking out for Mitchell?

"I really talk to Rutgers more than any school," said Mitchell. "I also talk to Ole Miss a lot too. They aren't in my top eight but they are making strides. Virginia Tech is another school I talk to a lot. They are the ones that would stand out, I would say, in terms of contact.

"I'm planning on trying to visit every school in my top eight," he said. "I'm going to try to catch a junior day or two."

Mitchell left the door open for some other schools to make a move into his top eight.

"Nothing is really set in stone," Mitchell said. "Along the process people will reveal who they truly are so that will give a better look at things. I'm trying to graduate early so I'll have to commit earlier. I'll probably commit before the season or during the season. I don't have an exact date but I want to get a head start on my college career."

As a junior, Mitchell made 45 catches, scored 22 total touchdowns and had 1,448 all-purpose yards. On defense Mitchell made 38 tackles, intercepted three passes and returned two of them for touchdowns.