Notre Dame Enters Race for Rising Texas Playmaker Jayshawn Mitchell
It’s been a productive spring for 2028 Brennan (Texas) running back Jayshawn Mitchell.
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound playmaker has emerged as a national target this spring and added an offer from Notre Dame earlier this week.
“I’m very excited,” Mitchell told ISD. “Notre Dame is a very big school. Of course, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price went there, so I’m excited about the offer.”
Notre Dame running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider had been in contact with Mitchell, so the offer felt like the next step in his recruitment more than a surprise.
“Coach Seider had been in contact with me,” stated Mitchell. “I wouldn’t say it was a surprise. We had talked a couple times and then he called to offer me.”
While the relationship is still in its early stages, Mitchell came away impressed with Seider and looks forward to getting to know him better.
“He’s a good dude,” explained Mitchell. “We’ve only talked three times, so I have to get to know him more.”
Mitchell is certainly aware of Notre Dame's recent success at the position with Love and Price, but he isn't allowing any school's track record alone to determine his decision.
“I’m trying to see the best fit for me,” Mitchell said. “That’s really good, but I’m trying to find the best school for myself and what’s going to fit me as a player and my development. I want to find a good fit for my family as well.”
As a sophomore, Mitchell showcased his versatility by hauling in 27 receptions for 609 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 217 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
With Texas Permian Basin signee Micai Thompson handling much of the workload in Brennan's backfield, Mitchell's production only offered a glimpse of his potential.
“I’m a very explosive player,” said Mitchell. “I can make big plays. I’m also trying to get into the mindset where every play isn’t going to be a touchdown. I want to be the best player I can be.”
That mindset has led to an offseason focused on development and work.
“I’m trying to improve as much as I can as a player,” Mitchell explained. “I can get better at a lot of things, even the things I’m good at. I feel I can catch the ball better as a running back, but I can definitely get better at it. I can get better at lowering my pad level. You have to get better at everything because nothing is perfect.”
Mitchell's blend of explosiveness and physicality stands out on film. He credits that toughness to an early lesson from his father.
“It came when I was a young kid,” Mitchell stated. “It was probably my first time playing and my dad really didn’t like how I wasn’t physical. He was hard on me and after that, I was physical.”
As for his recruitment, Mitchell now holds offers from over 20 programs, including Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, SMU and Texas Tech.
“It’s been crazy,” Mitchell said. “It’s been fast. I have to keep myself humble and keep working. This is just the beginning and it’s not the end.”
As the recruiting process continues to unfold, Mitchell hopes to visit a few schools for game day experiences this fall.
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