Texas Football: 4 Longhorns who will blow up in 2023

AD Mitchell, WR

Former Georgia Bulldogs junior wide receiver transfer AD Mitchell could be the most productive pass-catcher when it’s all said and done for the Longhorns this fall. Mitchell is emerging this fall as one of Ewers’ favorite targets in the receiving corps through the first couple of weeks of training camp.

Mitchell has that big frame and large catch radius on the boundary that Ewers likes to go to in the passing game. Ewers has that high release point that favors these larger wideouts, such as Mitchell and redshirt junior wide receiver Isaiah Neyor.

Yet, Mitchell is more than just a big body on the outside that can go up and get those contested 50/50 balls. He’s also a deep threat that can take the top off opposing defenses and a dangerous yards-after-the-catch receiver when he gets the ball in the open field.

As long as Mitchell stays healthy, he will get a large helping of targets in the passing game this fall. He’s already getting many of the looks in scrimmage settings for the Longhorns in the first couple of weeks of training camp.

Mitchell was great in big moments for Georgia in the last two seasons. He caught a touchdown pass in each of Georgia’s four College Football Playoff games, en route to two National Championships, since 2021.

The problem was Mitchell’s limited targets in Georgia’s slower-paced, run-happy offensive system. He also had trouble staying healthy last fall as he dealt with a lingering ankle issue that kept him out of nine games.

If Mitchell does lead Texas in targets this season, reaching the 1,000-receiving yard mark shouldn’t be an issue for the talented junior. That will also boost his NFL Draft stock in a big way if he declares early in 2024.