Ohio State Football: LB Teradja Mitchell ready to make an impact
The Ohio State football team needs linebacker Teradja Mitchell to step up in a big way next season.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have a few holes to fill on defense. Replacing linebacker Malik Harrison is absolutely one of the most important spots to fill.
Enter third year player and former top 50 national recruit Teradja Mitchell. Mitchell is a physically imposing player who posses the size and speed that is required of a linebacker in today’s game. Linebackers coach Al Washington will be looking toward him to help set a tone for this defense next season, the same way Baron Browning, Tuf Borland and Malik Harrison were able to do from a season ago.
Mitchell was in line to see some playing time last season, however a hamstring injury put a damper on his 2019 campaign for the Buckeyes. Now fully healthy, Mitchell’s role is likely to be expanded.
Ready to finally see some game action, Mitchell is thankful for the time he had to learn the playbook, even though it was hard for him to sit on the sidelines, via Lettermen Row:
"“The [growth is with] fundamentals. Learning how to use my hands better, getting into the playbook, mentally, just pre-snap, learning where the play is going. Learning the tendencies of different opponents. I feel like that was my biggest leap.”"
Its going to be really exciting to watch the growth of Mitchell next season. I would expect to see him get a ton of playing time early in the season to help get him adjusted for the stretch run.
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And with the physical tools that Mitchell possesses, look for him to be a swiss army knife for defensive coordinators Kerry Coombs and Greg Mattison to be able to employ. Whether it be stuffing the run, playing pass coverage or rushing the passer, I would expect Mitchell’s presence to be felt on the defense next season.