Mel Kiper shares how transfer portal helped Adonai Mitchell build NFL Draft stock

Conference championship weekend not only allowed college football’s top teams to compete for a league title, but for NFL Draft prospects to raise their stock on a big stage with only 20 FBS teams playing this weekend.

NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper believes that Texas wide receiver Adonai ‘AD’ Mitchell was one of those players following his performance in the Big 12 Championship game versus Oklahoma State, explaining to ESPN’s Michael Eaves on Monday how his outing on Saturday could impact his draft status next April.

“Michael the transfer portal opened today and you think about a couple of guys that really benefited from the move that they made,” Kiper said. “We’ll start with Adonai Mitchell, wide receiver for Texas, part of that dynamic duo with Xavier Worthy.”

Mitchell spent the first two seasons of his college career at Georgia, winning back-to-back national championships and performing his best when it mattered most.

Some probably scratched their heads when Mitchell left a program as successful as Georgia, but it was clearly the right move. He’s having the strongest season of his career with career highs in each receiving category, not to mention the Bulldogs were left out of this year’s College Football Playoff while the Longhorns will make their first playoff appearance in program history.

“Left Georgia, keep in mind at Georgia 21-2, four playoff games, he had a touchdown reception in all four of those playoff games for Georgia. Goes to Texas, has a heck of a year, averages 16 yards a catch with 10 touchdowns. Saturday against Oklahoma State he got the touchdown out of the blocks early, got them that 7-0 lead, had six receptions on the day,” Kiper said.

Mitchell has the potential to continue boosting his draft stock and build on his impressive stats during the Longhorns’ postseason run this season, as Kiper broke down the traits that could make him just as successful as a pro.

“6’4, 195-pounder with a great catch radius, love the way he tracks the ball, love the way he gets late separation. I have him as my sixth, seventh highest rated draft eligible receiver, I have a early second round grade right now on Adonai Mitchell, wide receiver from Texas,” Kiper concluded.

Mitchell and the Longhorns will take on Washington in the CFP Semifinal game on New Year’s Day, a stage he has already more than proven he’s comfortable performing at a high level on.