JUCO LB Juwan Mitchell Recaps Arkansas OV Ahead of May Enrollment
Arkansas has had success with junior college prospects in the Chad Morris era, signing nationally recognized running back Rakeem Boyd out of Independence C.C., presumed starting tackle Myron Cunningham out of Iowa Central and starting defensive end Dorian Gerald out of College of the Canyons, and they could add another immediate impact JUCO in the next few weeks.
The Hogs offered Butler County middle linebacker Juwan Mitchell on the first day of his official visit to Arkansas this weekend and Mitchell, who was originally a December 2019 graduate, dropped the news to reporters Sunday morning that he's actually ready to graduate and enroll this month at his school of choice.
Mitchell said he had a great time with his host Dorian Gerald, and the other four official visitors on the Hill.
"It really changed my mind about a lot of things," Mitchell said. "I really see the vision that Chavis and Morris are bringing here. It feels like everybody's in it together. It doesn't feel like anybody's out, no weak links, it's not like that.
"Coach Chavis is cool. He shoots you straight, that's how I like it. He's not going to sugarcoat it. He's going to let you know exactly how he feels, what his plan is, and then his track record is amazing. That caught my eye."
The linebacker got plenty of one on one time with the coaches, got to go to Chad Morris's house for a crawfish boil and live the SEC life for a couple days.
"Highlights were the facilities, the photo shoot, everything," Mitchell said. "Everything was just amazing, honestly. Vibing with the players, like Dorian, Rakeem and everybody. It's just like a big family, especially when we went to (Morris') house. It was real fun."
Chad Morris has competition for the 3-star linebacker, he's already committed to Minnesota and will take an official visit to the University of Texas next weekend. Mitchell also plans to visit one more school to round out his officials before he makes a decision in the next couple weeks.
"Coach Fleck, they've got a great staff over there (at Minnesota)," Mitchell said. "Everybody's just a family, it really is a family. But honestly, this is a family too and it's the SEC, so it's going to be hard."
Arkansas's defense is in desperate need for a linebacker addition. Currently, the Razorbacks will have just eight scholarship linebackers with two being unproven freshmen.
"They stressed how badly they need linebackers," Mitchell said. "I'd fit at Mike or Will, they don't really know yet, but they want me beside Scoota."
At Butler C.C. Mitchell averaged 4.6 tackles per game and added two sacks and an interception in his freshman season.
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