Ole Miss is chasing a top JUCO talent. Former Alabama recruit Tony Mitchell looks like he may be heading back to the SEC after this current season. The Rebels offered Mitchell on Friday, and their rivals Mississippi State offered him today.
Mitchell is currently playing at East Mississippi Community College. He played linebacker in the season's opening game but is listed as a safety on the recruiting sites. He was originally a member of the 2023 recruiting class, committing to Alabama as a four-star recruit. Per the On3 Industry Rankings, he was ranked the No. 116 overall prospect.
Mitchell spent the 2023 season with the Crimson Tide, but it came with its problems. Before the season started, he was caught up in an incident when he was arrested for attempting to evade police, speeding, and other charges. The head coach at the time, Nick Saban, suspended Mitchell before reinstating him to the team for the 2023 season.
He appeared in seven games outing the 2023 season, playing mostly on special teams. He managed one tackle in the game against Middle Tennessee.
The Alabama native is eligible to transfer from junior college. The state schools where he plays his JUCO football are the first to pounce, with Ole Miss and Mississippi State sending offers. Other teams could follow with offers, but he could elect to stay local, with him playing junior college in Mississippi.
He will likely announce his commitment in December, so there is a long way to go before he makes his decision.