BGSU DB Cedric Mitchell Looking Forward To Homecoming On Saturday
Cedric Mitchell won’t need much to get him going on Saturday as the Bowling Green defensive back knows all about No. 9 Notre Dame.
The 6-foot-1, 182-pounder played at Concord, which is about 30 minutes away from South Bend and he grew up watching the Fighting Irish.
“I’m really excited to come back and be able to play in the area I was raised in,” Mitchell told Irish Sports Daily. “I’ll get to have a lot of my family and friends come by and watch me. It’s been about three years, so it’s really exciting and it will be a great environment.”
Mitchell was recruited by Notre Dame early in his process and while he never got an offer from the Irish, the Elkhart native appreciated being able to have that experience.
“It was an exciting moment to have a big school recruit me,” recalled Mitchell. “Being from the area, I grew up watching Notre Dame, so it was really exciting for me.
“It was a great experience knowing a school like that had interest in me. It gave me great confidence to keep doing what I was doing.”
Oddly enough, Mitchell somewhat came full circle on his Notre Dame recruitment as Brian VanGorder was the Irish defensive coordinator during his recruitment. Fast forward to today and VanGorder is the defensive coordinator at Bowling Green and coaching Mitchell.
“He was at Notre Dame when I was being recruited,” said Mitchell. “I met him when I visited with my coaches. I came to Bowling Green and I saw on Twitter he got hired. I had heard he was a great defensive coordinator, so it was exciting to have a guy with experience come and teach us a lot of things I didn’t know. He’s a great guy.”
Bowling Green won Mitchell’s recruitment in the end as he chose the Falcons over Ball State, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Iowa State, Miami (OH), Ohio, Temple, Toledo and Western Michigan.
“When I chose Bowling Green, it was a great place to be from the start,” Mitchell explained. “The coaches were great and made me feel like family. When I took my official visit, I met with a lot of guys and became friends with them instantly. I knew coming here would be nice for four or five years.”
While Mitchell doesn’t hold a grudge against Notre Dame, it doesn’t mean he won’t be fired up on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s like everyone in the MAC,” stated Mitchell. “A lot of people had big schools recruiting them and don’t end going there or didn’t get the opportunity. It lights a fire under a lot of MAC players.
“I can’t wait to go and play. It’s going to be crazy and wild being able to play in a stadium like that with the great fanbase they have. It’s going to be fun. I can’t wait to get out there. I hope I feel some different emotions.”
Part of the emotions Mitchell will feel will come from the stands as he’ll have plenty of family, friends and influences in his life in Notre Dame Stadium.
“My mom actually let me use my tickets Notre Dame gives us to give out,” Mitchell said. “I gave them to six of my friends. I’ll have my friend group and she’ll have her mom group of people who helped me when I was growing up along with my coaches.
“It’s going to be a great time. I’m glad I still have the support. Some people go off to school and it’s over with. After a few years, I know I can come back and still be loved. It’s a great feeling.”