Signing Day capsule: James Mitchell

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A local product is in: four-star tight end James Mitchell has signed to become a Hokie. The Big Stone Gap (Va.) Union standout is signed.

At 6-4, 210 pounds, he has the tools to be an impact player at the tight end position down the line.

Four-star, No. 6 player in Virginia, No. 13 tight end nationally

Virginia Tech, Clemson, Duke, Georgia, Mississippi, Richmond, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wake Forest, West Virginia

Mitchell would have had a much more robust offer list if schools hadn't assumed he was always ticketed for Virginia Tech. While he did eventually end up a Hokie, there was drama along the way with Tennessee (another school close to his SW Virginia home) a top contender, then eventually falling off to leave VT, Duke, and Georgia as the primary contenders. After official visits to each, he followed through on the inevitable and picked VT last weekend.

Mitchell is explosive for a tight end - playing plenty of wide receiver and even returning punts for his high school team - and could be an instant-impact player in the passing game. He's a willing blocker, but is going to have to work on his technique and add plenty of mass to be a true multi-threat from the position at the next level. Being a towering pass-catch threat on the outside (or up the seam) is impressive enough even before he refines his blocking.

Union High played in the state semifinals on the backs of a huge year for Mitchell, though his precise stats are unavailable.