Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo Draft Stock Rising

Dominic Ambrose College Football Dawgs

"Defensive Back" from Toledo is not something many are accustomed to hearing announced before a selection during the NFL Draft. However, this year it is likely to change, and as the draft process continues, Quinyon Mitchell is gaining momentum and rising in many draft rankings.

At 6-foot and 195 pounds, the Toledo product has the measurables that defensive coordinators look for. Utilizing his 75 3/4" wingspan to be a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. In 2022, he led the nation with 20 pass break-ups and followed that up with 18 in 2023 which ranked second in the nation. He's got the athletic ability to excel in zone or man coverage schemes and the mentality to play physically. He became the second player in Toledo history to earn All-America selections in multiple years, the first since Mel Long Sr. in 1970-71. He also became the first Rocket to be named as a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award which goes to the nation's top defensive player.

In Mobile, at the Senior Bowl, Jim Nagy and his staff selected Mitchell to participate and he had an excellent week. He showed his athletic ability to the NFL representatives as well as the media and fans in attendance throughout the week and at the game. He showed a quickness to close on the ball and receiver to cause a breakup. He showed solid pursuit angles and finished his tackles well. Mitchell also displayed solid instincts to react and was able to track the ball well. At the Senior Bowl, he was eager to show his versatility to lineup not only along the boundary but in the slot and is willing to do his part to help the team. My impression as I left Mobile, was that I could see why he was chosen to participate in the Senior Bowl. I knew what I saw and knew that his star would be rising as the draft process played out.

Invited to the NFL Combine gave Mitchell another opportunity to impress and he did not disappoint. He registered the second-fastest 40-yard time among defensive backs with 4.33 which was second only to Nate Wiggins from Clemson who ran a 4.28. He also showcased his explosiveness with a 38" vertical leap and a broad jump of 10'2". In his on-field drills, he again showed his ball-tracking ability and his agility with fluid movements with a smooth transition from backpedal to sprint. He also showed his ability to close quickly on the ball the body control to disrupt the pass, the hands to intercept the ball and stay in bounds, and his ability to close on the ball quickly. Mitchell earned a total score of 90 for his efforts at the combine which ranked first among cornerbacks at the combine.

With the draft coming up April 25-27th, Mitchell has solidified his spot as a top corner in the draft and should hear his name early in the draft, possibly in the first round as one of the top corners taken. His rise has put him into discussions for the first round and could be the highest Rocket selected since Dan Williams was selected in 1993 at the 11th selection of the draft that season. Regardless, the future is getting brighter for the young man from Williston, Florida by way of Toledo. With the efforts at the Senior Bowl as well as the Combine he has positioned himself well to be in consideration to be a top corner taken in the first round.