Penn State signee Jon Mitchell is a newcomer to watch with playing time available in the Lions cornerback room
Penn State has officially welcomed four-star cornerback Jon Mitchell into its program. The Jacksonville, Fla., Mandarin High star has long been committed to the Lions. On Wednesday, during National Signing Day, he sent in his National Letter of Intent to cement things and will enroll at the school next month.
Mitchell has shot up the recruiting rankings over the years. As of Dec. 20, he is the No. 118 player in the On3 Industry Rankings and the No. 15 player at his position. On3 is higher on the senior; it ranks him at No. 83 overall and as the No. 9 cornerback. In 2023, Mitchell racked up 71 tackles, six tackles for loss, four interceptions and 15 pass breakups. He is a three-time team captain.
“He has put together some really strong senior film,” On3 director of scouting Charles Power told BWI. “He’s a guy who really has plus instincts. His play speed is outstanding and he does a great job reading receivers. You can tell he’s been coached well, but he also has that natural ability to go with just his technical ability. He has outstanding feet, really good instincts and a quick trigger. So, he’s a guy who we really liked on the senior film and moves up into the top 100 and is now a top 10 cornerback prospect as well.”
Mitchell is a Penn State newcomer to watch
Penn State associate head coach, cornerbacks coach, and defensive recruiting coordinator Terry Smith raised some eyebrows on the Lions’ National Signing Day live stream while talking with Mitchell via ZOOM.
“You’ve had an amazing career,” Smith said. “Very, very productive. You’re coming in January. We have to put our nose down and work. There is a tremendous opportunity here to shine soon. We are losing three guys to the NFL. Come to grind. Trust the process. Between myself, Coah [Tom] Allen, and Coach Bryce [Jones], we’re going to coach you up. I can’t wait for January to come.”
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The comment is interesting because Kalen King nor Daequan Hardy have announced that they are declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. But, all both doing so would hardly be a surprise. King is viewed as a potential first-round pick. Hardy has been in State College for five years and is a multi-year starter. And, Johnny Dixon must do so, as he us out of eligibility. We’ll have to wait on their official announcements. But, Smith’s words were notable, as the Lions look likely to lose three starting cornerbacks from the 2023 season. That’s especially true since they were to Mitchell, a high-upside signee who will be here for spring practice with hopes of showing enough then and in preseason camp to play early.
“[Fans can expect to see] a hard working corner that’s going to make sure all the receivers are locked up,” Mitchell told the PSU in-house broadcast. “I’ll do my best on the field at all times.
“I got to get in the weight room, get bigger, stronger, faster, all that work, learn the plays and all that.”
