Malcolm Mitchell is my new player to watch

Most of Bulldog Nation was excited earlier this week when Isaiah Crowell reported to Athens to assume his spot atop the depth chart at tailback. Bulldog Nation was also likely tracking defensive tackle John Jenkins as the mammoth lineman was scheduled to report last weekend, assuming his grades were up to snuff. And plenty of folks will be keyed up about Ray Drew coming in to take Justin Houston’s old spot as pass-rusher extraordinaire.

Folks may be missing out on a player that could make an even bigger impact on each game this upcoming football season: Malcolm Mitchell. The Valdosta product is set to step onto the Athens campus a threat to make plays in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams. I know that we’ve heard this song and dance before, most recently with Branden Smith, but with Mitchell, you get the feeling that an impact will actually be real and not shelved due to injury. The coaches have raved about the possibilities that Mitchell brings to the table and why not? Last year under a new coach, Mitchell not only played safety/corner, but also out at wide receiver, proving at times to be more of a scoring threat than teammate Jay Rome to haul in TD passes. Mitchell can take a reverse and take it to the house, much like Fred Gibson was a threat to during in his time in Athens. Mitchell was also a threat to return each and every kick directed at him to the house thanks to his blazing speed. Georgia already has plenty of options in the return game, but Mitchell’s past shows that if the coaches chose him, he’d be a playmaker.

At 6’1, 190, you also get the idea that Mitchell can become far more physical than Smith was as wide receiver and could develop into a safety if he chooses to at Georgia. Mitchell was often matched up against the opponent’s top receiver to play corner, but he would also shift to safety to better take advantage of his speed and cover the entire field. If he chooses to, he could be the prototype for Scott Lakatos’ vision of cornerbacks: tall, physical yet with the ability to run and jump with the taller receivers. No disrespect to the other corners on the roster, but Mitchell would be taller than all save for Nick Marshall, another true freshman that could see some time on offense in the Wild Dawg. Imagine sliding in the 6’1 corner that is JUST as fast as Alshon Jeffery in Georgia’s SEC opener.

While Jenkins and Crowell will get all of the pub, Mitchell could make an impact in all three phases of the game and he certainly possesses the ability to do so. We will see if Mitchell has a strong summer and can make plays Saturday afternoons like he could Friday nights.