Quinyon Mitchell (CB)

Measurements:

Height: 6’0

Weight: 195 pounds

Classification: Junior

School: Toledo

Testing Numbers:

Arm: 31”

Hand: 9 1/4”

40: 4.33s

Broad: 10’ 2”

Vert: 38”

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Prospect Background:

When you compare how aggressive and relentless this young man plays football and you compare that to the soft spoken, humble young man that this skillset lies within; you’d have thought we were talking about two completely different people.

He’s an old soul — the type of person that treats the tech intern the same way he treats the owner of the company. Growing up, Quinyon was the middle child of five siblings. He lived with his grandmother for the first nine years of his life and she helped instill the types of values that any person would want to have in this world.  

The value that stands out the most? His loyalty. As many of the bigger name schools offered NIL opportunities as a platform to travel toward greener pastures, Mitchell did what he’s always done. He stayed true to himself and those who did the same with him.

“I had a great situation, everybody went away so I stayed loyal to them,” Mitchell said.

“I think that came up at every meeting, ‘Why did you stay at Toledo?’ So, I gave them the same answer,” Mitchell continued when asked about his decision. 

A productive player on the court and on the gridiron, Mitchell became a three time letterman in high school. He was mostly an offensive weapon but began gaining notoriety for his defensive prowess as a junior. For perspective, he only gave up one deep reception in two seasons (game vs Dunnellon).

Yet still, Mitchell wasn’t a highly touted recruit coming out of Williston High. He was just a three star athlete prior to landing at Toledo. He became more of a household name in 2022 and jumped into the national spotlight in 2023. He finished his career at Toledo as the all time leader in pass break-ups (46), the second Toledo Rocket to be named an All-American in consecutive seasons, and the first Rocket to become an unanimous All-American. 

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Stats:

• Freshman:
  • Played in 6 games (was not a full-time starter)
  • Amassed 7 total tackles

• Sophomore
  • Coverage Snaps: 319
  • Targets: 52
  • Receptions Allowed: 28
  • Yards Allowed: 310
  • TDs Allowed: 1

• Junior
  • Coverage Snaps: 481
  • Targets: 70
  • Receptions Allowed: 27
  • Yards Allowed: 270
  • TDs Allowed: 3

• Senior
  • Coverage Snaps: 437
  • Targets: 62
  • Receptions Allowed: 27
  • Yards Allowed: 290
  • TDs Allowed: 0

Alignments/Number of Snaps:

• Nickel:
  • 2021: 21
  • 2022: 33
  • 2023: 55

• Outside Cornerback
  • 2021: 512
  • 2022: 769
  • 2023: 677

• Box
  • 2021: 47
  • 2022: 44
  • 2023: 31

• Safety
  • 2021: 3
  • 2022: 22
  • 2023: 13

Prospect Overview:

To some, Mitchell and his rise to prominence came a bit out of no where. The three-year starter out of Toledo made a name for himself following the 2022 season where he set program record and led the country in passes break-ups with 25.

This past season Mitchell impressed once again, allowing under 300 yards receiving (for the second season in a row), allowing 27 receptions (tied for a career low) and zero touchdowns on the season.

What immediately jumps off the screen when you watch Mitchell, is his usage in off coverage, both man and zone coverage. He’s a highly instinctual player who is confident in attacking what he sees in terms of routes and route combinations.

There were potential concerns about long speed because of how he was utilized but I found more than a few reps where he was aligned in press man, where his long speed never came in question.

It also helps when you run a 4.33 at the combine to silence those critics.

Quinyon Mitchell plays the cornerback position with the demeanor it needs. There are times where it seems that he opens up a bit too early, which leaves him susceptible to in-breaking routes, but it showcases high level short-area quickness and hip fluidity that often allows him to quickly recover.

Mitchell plays the football like he has just as much as a right to it as the offensive player. He always finds a way to get his hands on the ball and disrupt the catch. Even if/when he has to fight through bigger body types, he finds a way to be disruptive and not allow the catch.

Despite seemingly always being near the football, he only has six interceptions over the last two seasons, four of which came in the same game — Northern Illinois in 2022.

Mitchell showcases aggressive down hill tackling ability. While there are times he becomes a shoulder thrower, he is often reliable when it comes to bringing down the ball carrier.

Cover Image Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports