Tennessee Tech 2011 Football Guide

Page 60

GOLDEN EAGLE FOOTBALL 15

Caleb MITCHELL u Defensive Back u 6-1 / 190 u Junior u Russellville, Ala. u Russellville High School A cornerback with a knack for finding the ball, Caleb Mitchell has the potential to be among the top defensive players in the Ohio Valley Conference if he can stay healthy...injuries forced him to redshirt as a true freshman, and cost him four games last year...comes into the 2011 season as the returning starter at the field corner... made the move from free safety in 2010 spring drills and showed a thorough understanding of his new position last season...the biggest of Tech’s cornerbacks, he’s an extremely physical player and a very good tackler...has good speed and good hands...excellent toughness...might have developed into an MVP caliber player in his true freshman season in 2008, but an injury in the second game changed his course...granted medical redshirt status after a knee injury...can also return punts...has good ball skills...will figure prominently in Tech’s “nickel” package...good pass defender and also strong providing support in run coverage...has made 102 tackles in his two-plus seasons...listed on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll three of his six semesters. AT TECH (In 2010): Started six games and played in seven, but missed four games due to injuries as a junior...when he was on the field, he was one of the defensive leaders...despite missing four contests he still finished 10th on the team with 31 total tackles... had a sensational game in Tech’s win over Eastern Illinois, making a season-high seven tackles, two interceptions (returning one for a touchdown) and forced a fumble...had six stops against UT Martin and Austin Peay. (In 2009): Started all 11 games at free safety as a redshirt freshman and ranked second on the team in total tackles with 63...finished with 4.5 tackles-for-loss and two quarterback sacks...broke up five passes and had two interceptions...led the team with three fumbles forced and two fumbles recovered....established careerhigh with 12 tackles in Tech’s win at UT Martin...raised that three weeks later with 13 stops in a win over Tennessee State...also had two sacks, caused and recovered a fumble, and intercepted a pass in the victory over the Tigers that clinched the Sgt. York trophy... his other interception came at Eastern Illinois. (In 2008): Caleb was off to a great start to his career before an injury in the second game of the season sidelined him for the balance of the schedule...came off the bench in the season opener and had five tackles and one kickoff return in the victory over Gardner-Webb...made three solo tackles and broke up a Cardinal

58

STRONGER THAN EVER F 2011


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.