Catching up with Arizona Football Commit, Jaden Mitchell

TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Rich Rodriguez of the Arizona Wildcats looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Washington State Cougars at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - OCTOBER 28: Head coach Rich Rodriguez of the Arizona Wildcats looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Washington State Cougars at Arizona Stadium on October 28, 2017 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /
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With most of the 2018 class recruiting approaching its end, we bring you an interview with one of Arizona’s commits, Jaden Mitchell.

Meet Jaden Mitchell, the 6-foot, 180 pound receiver from Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas, NV. Jaden was actually one of Arizona’s earliest commitments, and has been true to his word since committing to the Wildcats back in April.

Mitchell ultimately picked the Wildcats over offers from UNLV and Hawaii, and to him the choice was simple. “Arizona is close and also far enough from home. It also has a great environment and it’s surrounded by really nice and supporting fans. I just love the atmosphere and the fact that a few of my good friends go there.”

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As you may recall, the Wildcats added a few Las Vegas athletes last year. “Tony Wallace, Tony Fields, Malik Hausman, and Edgar Burrola all go there and I have good relations with them. So it brings an even greater family feel there,” Mitchell said.

Coming off a huge junior campaign, the senior-to-be was set for a potentially big year with lots of promise. However, that plan was derailed, when Mitchell was injured in the first game of the season, tearing his ACL, and knocking him out of competition for the rest of the year.

And while Jaden won’t take his next snap until he’s in college, the timeline for his return to the gridiron may be even longer now. Just a few weeks ago, it was announced that he will actually be grey shirting, and won’t arrive on campus, until January of 2019!

That’s a lot of recovery time! For Jaden, the initial news was definitely frustrating. “I was bummed out,” Mitchell said, “I was planning on recovering and rehabbing up there, but I realized that it’s what’s best.”

Injuries are never easy to get over, but for Jaden, he seems to be taking it well. “It [the decision to grey shirt] allows me a whole year to fully recover and get prepared for my first year in college. So now I’m pretty excited. I’ll be a little bit older starting my college career and It’ll let my body to mature even more. I’m honestly just blessed to still have a scholarship and all I can be right now is thankful.”

As for his recovery, he is working hard to get back. “My trainers are impressed with how I am doing in therapy.” And despite Mitchell not being out there able to compete, he has found solace in staying close to the game. “Making sure I’m around my team a lot and talking to my coaches at school and Coach Aych and Coach Addae at Arizona. Also making sure I always have a football in my hand whether it be catching 200 balls everyday or just walking around with it.”

Even though he won’t be with the Wildcats for a bit, Mitchell is excited about the opportunity and what he can bring to the team! “I feel that I can bring quickness and versatility. I feel that I play like Shun Brown and that I can fill that type of roll when he leaves.”

Just by looking at his film, there is a lot to like about him!

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At Zona Zealots, we would like to wish Jaden the best as he continues his recovery to get back to the gridiron. Thank for speaking with us! Bear Down, Arizona!