Kris Mitchell Focused on Expanding Game, Creating Explosive Plays
Create explosive plays.
It’s been Notre Dame’s goal since the 2023 season completed and Marcus Freeman made a statement by bringing in Mike Denbrock to run the Irish offense.
In 2023, Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman completed 25-of-57 passes that traveled more than 20 yards downfield. 43.86 percent is solid, but it’s not where Notre Dame needs it to be to compete for a national title.
For comparison, Jayden Daniels won the Heisman in Denbrock’s scheme and completed 35-of-55 (63.6%) passes that went more than 20 yards down the field. Oh, and 22 of those completions went for touchdowns.
The lack of big plays in the passing game certainly wasn’t all on Hartman by any means and Notre Dame addressed the receiver room by bringing in Kris Mitchell, Beaux Collins and Jayden Harrison from the Transfer Portal.
Collins has big play potential, but Mitchell is the one who can really take a top off a defense.
In 2023, Mitchell recorded 64 catches for 1,118 yards and seven touchdowns for Florida International. Of Mitchell’s 64 snags, 14 went for more than 20 yards, including four touchdowns, which is exactly what Notre Dame is looking for from the graduate transfer.
“Honestly, just come in here every day with the same mindset, being willing to have that role and take on the ability to know that when a deep ball is getting called,” stated Mitchell. “I need to get open. Make that play, trust myself and believe I can be the guy to do that for us."
Quarterback Riley Leonard may have missed most of the spring, but he and Mitchell have built a solid connection and appear on the same page heading into the season.
“I feel like we always had a connection before we even both decided to come in here,” explained Mitchell. “We knew that coming in here, it was going to take me and him and this whole receiving corps to get things going within this offense.
“Over the offseason we practiced those deep throws, timing and where to put it. Even if I'm a little bit covered he can still throw it out there and trust me. I believe he trusts in me and I'll come down with a play."
Some may wonder why a 1,000-yard receiver would turn down the NFL Draft for Notre Dame, but the decision was simple for Mitchell.
The Florida native wanted to prove he could be a gamewrecker on a bigger stage, while also improving his game, which starts with becoming a better route runner.
Notre Dame receiver coach Mike Brown has worked hard with Mitchell over the last eight months to expand that route tree so he can do more than be just a deep threat.
“Most of his route tree, it was vertical things,” Brown explained. “It was go (routes), it was posts, it was hitches. He's making guys miss and then just going the distance, which are all great things. We do a lot more where we're asking him to run the slants, run the digs and run double moves and things like that and so on.
“I'm not saying they didn't do that there, but I don't think it was anything that they majored in there. It's been really, really fun just watching him adjust his routes. We're doing some things from condensed splits and wide splits and all types of things. He's getting a little bit of taste of everything.”
Mitchell also knows Brown carries credibility, given his NFL career and his track record of developing players over the years, so buying into a new coach was almost effortless.
"Coach Brown, he was a route runner coming into college and going into the NFL,” said Mitchell. “Coming in, I've had to really lock in and focus on my footwork and getting in and out of breaks. It's helped my game a lot.
“I feel like when a corner is up against me, he doesn't know what I'm going to run because of our route tree. A lot of variety. Not just deep balls. A lot of in-breaking routes, out-breaking routes, fits. It's helped my game a lot."
Speaking of those Notre Dame corners, Mitchell has enjoyed the competition and the rise in competition. Mitchell knows the defense knows the routes in practice and that will make the games easier.
"It's made me realize not everything is easy,” explained Mitchell. “Not everything's going to be a straight line or a straight cut. I got to fight through different physical obstacles and make tougher catches. The ball might not always be where it needs to be. I just need to adjust and come down with it."
Notre Dame is less than two weeks away from the start of the season and while Mitchell hasn’t faced Texas A&M, he is familiar with the SEC. Last November, Mitchell recorded six catches for 157 yards and a score against Arkansas.
The big game hype isn’t going to impact Mitchell, as he’s been there and done that.
"To be honest, I feel like we're prepared already,” stated Mitchell. “We got a long way to go, but not really. We're right there. It's just going to take that extra locking in and polish to really figure out what guys can do what and figure out exactly what our game plan is and who are the playmakers to make certain plays. I feel like our whole entire offense is prepared to make any play whenever they come. I'm very confident going into this Texas A&M game. I'm not nervous or anything. I've been here before. I'm just ready to go."
Looking to join a Fighting Irish community and get the latest scoop? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
