North Shore star wants education first

He could be an impact tight end.

He could even be a talented linebacker prospect, but where Rivals.com projects Galena Park (Texas) North Shore standout Earl Mitchell to make the biggest impact at in the future is at fullback.

The 6-foot-3, 251-pound Mitchell isn't so sure where he'll make an impact at, but wouldn't mind being one of smashing H-back/fullback type prospects.

"Utah wants me to play on defense somewhere, I think linebacker," Mitchell said. "Oklahoma State wants me to be at defensive end and Arizona wants me to play tight end. I like to describe myself as being versatile. I feel like tight end would be my best position in college."

With offers on the table from Arizona, Utah, Oklahoma State and Indiana, Mitchell is one of the more heavily recruited players in Houston. Missouri also offered him orally on the phone in May but he has yet to receive anything official from the Tigers.

"I've talked to Arizona the most lately," Mitchell said. "You could say I like them. They send me messages and I call them to talk about things. I couldn't name a leader right now, though. I've never followed college football before. So I don't know much about it. I didn't even play football until high school. I just want to play so I can get a scholarship to go to school somewhere."

And that's where his family comes into the equation. Mitchell said he's going to lean hard on his family to help him look at important things in the decision-making process.

"My family and I have talked about some of things I want to find in a school," he said. "Education is real important to me and my family will have a big part in my decision for college. I want to get on the field, definitely. Playing time will play a big part.

"I don't have a dream school at all. I just want to go to college. That's the big thing to me."

While he has not been able to attend any camps because of summer workouts, Mitchell has been working hard at getting even better as a senior.

"I need to work on my route running," he said. "I feel like my blocking is my strength. I can catch the ball pretty well, too, but I need to work on that a little bit. I expect the ball a lot this year."