Noles, Terps lead for Peach State DT

One of the Peach State’s rising prospects has formed co-leaders heading into his senior season.

“My top two schools right now are Florida State and Maryland,” said Newnan (Ga.) defensive tackle Earnest Mitchell Jr.. “I liked Florida State when I went down there for camp this summer. I had a fun time there, and I learned a whole lot. I learned some pass-rushing moves that I never knew before. Their coaches were pretty cool. I got to meet the defensive coordinator and D-Line coach. They both seemed really high on me.

“Maryland’s coaches are showing me a lot of love. I really like my recruiting coach, coach Banks. I like what they’re doing with their whole program. They’ve got some good facilities for both athletics and academics. They had a great season last year, and I think they’re going to be heard from in the future.”

Mitchell (6-1, 280, 4.85) also has offers from Clemson, South Carolina, North Carolina, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati and Arkansas. Auburn, LSU, Indiana and Marshall are showing heavy interest.

Going away from home for school is not an issue, Mitchell said, as he didn’t grow up with any strong ties to any particular program.

“I was an outdoor kid,” he said. “I never really watched too much sports on TV.”

A three-star prospect, Mitchell is ranked the No. 24 defensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com. He’s coming off a junior season which saw him record 77 tackles and 19 tackles for loss. He’s a physically imposing player who already has strength levels that would serve him well on the college level – 445 bench, 545 squat.

Academically, he maintains a 2.6 core GPA and has scored a 16 on his ACT. He projects as a full-qualifier.