Texas Football: AD Mitchell likened to NFL star WR DeAndre Hopkins

One of the biggest transfer additions for Texas football and head coach Steve Sarkisian this offseason arrived from the Georgia Bulldogs, junior wide receiver AD Mitchell. The Texas native Mitchell was arguably Texas’ biggest addition via the NCAA Transfer Portal in the 2023 cycle.

Mitchell will be an immediate impact starter for Sark and the Longhorns at boundary receiver this season. He looked great in training camp and has the potential to be one of the best boundary receivers in the Power Five this fall.

Texas football WR AD Mitchell compared to five-time Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins

He is also looking to prove his value to NFL scouts as he intends to enter the 2024 draft after his junior season. Many NFL Draft pundits see Mitchell as an early-round pick in 2024. But he doesn’t have the proven production in college that many of the other top wideouts in the 2024 NFL Draft class do.

Mitchell is one of the most gifted wideouts in the projected 2024 NFL Draft class from a pure athleticism and physical tools perspective. He’s got good speed, a large frame (6-foot-4 and 195 pounds), and good vertical ability.

Orangebloods reported on Aug. 25 (subscriber content) that a team source likened Mitchell to five-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro selection Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. That is clearly high praise for Mitchell to get compared to one of the best wide receivers in the last decade in the NFL.

Hopkins and Mitchell are both precise route runners with the ability to high-point the football and bring down contested catches

Regarding Mitchell’s ability to high-point the football and bring down those tough contested 50/50 balls, he’s one of the best. He’s proven his ability to get over the top on opposing defenses and bring down contested catches on the biggest of stages, too.

Mitchell has caught a touchdown in all four College Football Playoff games he’s played in the last two seasons at Georgia. Two of those four touchdown catches were contested deep ball receptions.

Moreover, Mitchell’s route running and strong hands are reminders that the comparison between him and Hopkins in certain regards isn’t too far off. Since PFF first recorded the stat in 2016, Hopkins ranks in the top five in contested catches among NFL receivers with 90.

Mitchell has received praise before with lofty NFL receiver comparisons

This isn’t the first time that Mitchell has received such high praise via comparison to a top NFL wide receiver since he first stepped on a college campus. Former Georgia standout receiver Terrence Edwards compared Mitchell to Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson in a piece back in 2021 breaking down his game.

Edwards noted Mitchell’s length, twitchiness, and route-running ability when likening him to Jefferson.

Mitchell is bound to have a big season with the Longhorns this fall. He’s found natural chemistry with redshirt sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers in camp this offseason. And he’ll get plenty of targets on the boundary and over the top in the deep passing game this season to rack up the stats necessary to prove he should be an early-round 2024 NFL Draft pick.