Arizona Football to add Earl Mitchell and Brooks Reed to Ring of Honor

With Fall Camp starting for Arizona Football, the Wildcats announced that former Wildcats Earl Mitchell and Brooks Reed will be added to the Ring of Honor. 

Coming into a new era of Arizona Football with head coach Jedd Fisch, it has been a breath of fresh air as Arizona has reintroduced some great traditions from the past and incorporated alumni. Well on Friday, the good news didn’t stop as former Wildcats Earl Mitchell and Brooks Reed are being inducted into the schools’ ‘Ring of Honor’.

Coming into fall camp, there were plenty of rumors surrounding Mitchell as it seemed he was hanging around the program.

Arizona Wildcats

Well on Friday, it was confirmed exactly why he was there as Fisch and Arizona Football announced that former Wildcat greats Mitchell and Reed will officially be introduced to the infamous Ring of Honor.

An honor not given to just anyone, there are some strict requirements for Brooks Reed and Earl Mitchell to being added to the Arizona Football Ring of Honor.

• First Team All-America recognition by one or more of the major national organizations or media.
• Major national “player of distinction”, e.g. Heisman, Wooden, etc.; and/or national championship Most Valuable or Outstanding Player distinction.
• Pac-10/12 Player of the Year or Pac-10/12 Freshman of the Year; and Pac-10/12 Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year.
• Arizona Career leader in 3 or more major positive “career” categories at the conclusion of their collegiate career, must hold the career record for a minimum of 5 years (e.g., does not include single-game record(s), minutes played, etc.).
• 10+ years in the United States Major Professional Leagues of the NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLB and/or been selected as an All-Star/All-Pro by the official league.
• Be an Olympic Medalist.

Becoming the 48th and 49th players added to the elusive list, it’s a great honor for both players who once dominated the playing fields at Arizona.

Coming in, Earl was a lowly rated three-star recruit from North Shore High School in Houston, TX that came to Tucson as a fullback, but quickly transitioned to the defensive line.

In 25 games along the defensive line, Earl made his impact felt quickly, totaling 88 tackles (50 solo) with 18.0 tackles for loss, and 8.0 sacks.

Following a tremendous career at Arizona, Earl went on to be drafted into the NFL by the Houston Texans with the No. 81 overall pick. From there, he would appear in 130 games, spanning over nine seasons.

As for Brooks, he was the talented two-way player from Sabino High School in Tucson that came to Arizona and quickly made an impact. Appearing in 45 games, Reed accumulated 114 tackles (75 solo), with 25.0 tackles for loss and 17.0 sacks.

Also following a tremendous career at Arizona, Brooks would go on to be drafted as well, going No. 42 overall to the Houston Texans as well. From there, he would appear in 131 games, spanning over 10 seasons in the NFL.

Together, Reed and Mitchell remain as some of the most dominant linemen to come out of Arizona, and following tremendous careers, the Ring of Honor distinctions is well-deserved.