James Mitchell sets decision date
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One of Virginia Tech's top Class of 2018 prospects knows when he'll make his college commitment: Dec. 15. Big Stone Gap (Va.) Union tight end James Mitchell will make the call between Duke, Georgia, and the Hokies on that date.
The 6-4, 210-pound Mitchell couldn't lead his team to victory in the state semifinals last weekend - the Bears fell to Appomattox County 24-21 - but he was a huge piece in all three phases of the game leading them to the 13-0 mark they had reached prior to last weekend. While mostly a wide receiver and punt returner for Union, all three schools still in the hunt project him as a tight end.
The No. 14 player at the position nationally, and No. 6 overall in the state of Virginia, Mitchell has been to Blacksburg dozens of times, and the Southwest Virginian has the easiest trip to Virginia Tech compared to the remainder of his finalists. The Hokies and Tennessee had once been considered the top schools, and when the top group changes regularly, the lone school that always makes the cut should be feeling pretty good.
VT played primarily with two tight ends this year, redshirt sophomore Chris Cunningham and true freshman Dalton Keene. Should Mitchell arrive ready to play, there's a good chance he could get into the mix as a true freshman (though Dalton Keene, who played just a handful of snaps as a freshman this year and will appeal for a medical hardship redshirt, will have something to say in that instance).
The 2018 class is currently without a tight end - Mitchell has been the focus pretty much throughout, with Florida commit Kyle Pitts also a top target at one point when VT was considering two tight ends - and could use one to close out the offensive group (with an elite offensive lineman certainly still welcome should the coaching staff be able to lure one).
The class currently stands at 24 commitments, with a ranking of No. 15 nationally.