AD Mitchell went into the 2022 season with high expectations as Georgia’s likely No. 1 wide receiver. An ankle injury severely handicapped Mitchell, and now it seems Mitchell wants to play elsewhere.
Dawgs247 can confirm Mitchell’s plans to enter the transfer portal. Mitchell had 9 receptions for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns in six games this season.
DawgsHQ’s Jake Rowe first reported on Mitchell’s intentions.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Mitchell has just completed his sophomore season and has up to two more years of eligibility at his next school. Mitchell is the second Georgia wide receiver to enter and join the portal this offseason Dominic Blaylock.
Mitchell was considered Georgia’s top wide receiver going into his sophomore season, but an ankle injury sustained in Week 2 against Samford set him back significantly. Mitchell ended up missing nine of the next 10 games as he worked his way back.
Mitchell came back for the LSU game and played significant snaps but did not record an in-game catch. That changed during the Peach Bowl against Ohio State when Mitchell had 3 receptions for 43 yards and 1 touchdown. Mitchell’s touchdown against the Buckeyes came on a 10-yard pass Stetson Bennett and helped the Bulldogs to a one-point lead with 54 seconds remaining.
Mitchell spoke about his excitement at playing the Buckeyes during Peach Bowl Media Day in the days leading up to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
“To be honest, I just feel ready. That’s the best way to describe it,” Mitchell said of the Peach Bowl. “There wasn’t much rest [after the LSU game]but you know, practicing and building confidence, it’s also meant a lot up to this point.”
Mitchell followed that performance with 1 reception for 22 yards and 1 touchdown. Mitchell’s touchdown grab helped put Georgia 38-7 on TCU with 26 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Mitchell caught his first two passes as a Bulldog in the second game of the 2021 season against UAB and then earned starting status in the third game, which he retained in 11 of the Bulldogs’ next 13 games.
Mitchell caught at least two passes in six of Georgia’s next eight games after the UAB win before notching a single catch in three straight games: the Bulldogs’ blowout wins over Charleston Southern and Georgia Tech and the team’s loss to Alabama in the SEC title game.
Mitchell returned with a vengeance in the CFP semifinals by putting down an 18-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter of Georgia’s win over Michigan. He topped himself by one with everything on the line in the national title game when he caught a 40-yard pass from Bennett, which sent Georgia a one-point shot with just over eight minutes left in the contest. Provided a head start, excellent grip.
Mitchell finished his freshman season with 29 receptions for 426 yards and 4 touchdowns.