Learning new position

Last year as a junior, Javiere Mitchell did most of his damage on the defensive line for Leeds (Ala.) despite his 6-foot-2 and 200-pound frame. After helping lead his team to the Class 3A state title, the highly-touted 2012 prospect is learning a new position for this fall.

"I am playing linebacker now and it is a new position for me," said Mitchell. "I played defensive end last year and now I am standing up and that is something new to adjust to. It has its ups and downs but I enjoy it."

Mitchell got to work on his new position this week at Mississippi State's camp. Having already attended a UAB camp, Mitchell is also planning to work at Auburn's camp later this month.

"Mississippi State had a good camp and I got a lot of work in," said Mitchell. "I got to be around their coaches a lot and we got in a lot of reps with our position coach. It wasn't like some camps where you get two or three reps but we did different things five or six times. I liked the tempo of the whole camp and I definitely enjoyed my stay over there."

And during his practice at MSU, Mitchell was under the watchful eye of MSU first-year linebackers coach Geoff Collins.

"Coach Collins is a very active coach," said Mitchell. "He likes to have fun but he is also serious about making us better players. He gave us a lot of reps and showed us techniques that will help us down the road."

Mitchell currently holds offers from Auburn, Alabama, MSU, Clemson and Southern Miss among others. He said he doesn't have a leader right now but did note the two schools recruiting him the hardest.

"I really don't have a favorite right now," said Mitchell. "I would say Auburn is recruiting me the hardest with Mississippi State right there, too.

"I will probably decide in October or November. The first thing I am looking at is education and then I am looking at location and the work ethic at these programs. I want to study the team attitude and the team chemistry of the players and coaches, too."