BIG TEN FOOTBALL Mitchell ready as Ohio State starts at last
After uncertainty plagued Buckeyes, linebacker eager to face Cornhuskers
On Aug. 11, the Big Ten Conference became the first Power Five conference to decide not to play college football this fall because of coronavirus.
The decision was made following a morning meeting of the conference’s presidents, even though several coaches, including Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Michigan’s Jim Harbuagh and Penn State’s James Franklin, publicly advocated for playing the season. But their pleas weren’t enough to sway the decision.
Ohio State linebacker Teradja Mitchell remembers that day all too well.
“We were devastated,” Mitchell said earlier this week from his apartment in Columbus, Ohio. “When they canceled the season, we were having optional practices, but we really didn’t know what we were working for. We were all hoping that we might play in January.”
But on Sept. 16, the Big Ten reversed its decision and said there would be football this fall. And today, Mitchell and the No. 5 Buckeyes will host Nebraska — with no fans — at noon on Fox (WVBT in
Hampton Roads).
This is the first time since 1939 that Ohio State will start its season in October.
And Mitchell can’t wait.
“Three or four weeks later, and now we’re playing again,” he said. “We’re working hard and we’re
ready to go on Saturday.”
Mitchell, a high school AllAmerican from Catholic High in Virginia Beach, said 2020 has been a roller-coaster ride with many highs and lows.
It all began in March when Ohio State students went on spring break. The pandemic impacted the nation and the world.
“They told us not to come back to campus and workouts were canceled,” he said. “We were basically on our own. Like 90% of the team was home.”
Mitchell, however, never left Columbus. He didn’t want to travel back and forth to Virginia, possibly putting his family at risk.
While in Columbus, he tried to motivate himself during a time of unknown.
“I just tried to find a blessing in each situation that was thrown at me,” he said. “When they told us we couldn’t come back, I just told myself that now I’ve got more time to perfect my craft. I got more time to get better.”
When they returned to campus in June, the players were cautiously working out and training as they prepared for the season.
“Then we started hearing rumors that the season might be canceled,” he said. “As a team, we were like, we’re going to keep going until we get the official news that we’re not going to play.”
Then came the Aug. 11 decision. Mitchell again tried to motivate himself. It didn’t set in until he saw other conferences starting to play.
“Obviously, it was tough watching other teams being able to play and we can’t,” he said. “We realized then that we weren’t playing for real. We were jealous because we wanted to get out there and play, too.”
What followed was a month of debate, protest, petitions and lawsuits to try to get the league to reconsider its decision.
“We tried to push for it, too, on social media and being vocal, hoping that our voice could do something to affect the decision of the commissioner,” he said. “It wasn’t just me and my teammates, but everyone in the conference wanted to play.”
Amonth after postponing the fall season, the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously to play the season in the fall, citing “significant medical protocols including daily antigen testing, enhanced cardiac screening and an enhanced data-driven approach when making decisions about practice/competition.”
It’s a day Mitchell will never forget. Hecompared it to waking up as a kid on Christmas morning.
“I’m not going to lie,” he said with a laugh. “I was so excited. I was ready to get going.”
Mitchell and his teammates had already adopted a popular theme,
“stay ready so you don’t have to get kings. “He told me a lot of people ready,” but now they have a chance back home are going to say what to really prepare for something. they’re going to say. We know the
Now that the season has been choices we made. We know it’s a revived, Mitchell looks forward to process at Ohio State. He told me his role with the Buckeyes. that if you come here, you’re going
Coming out of Catholic, Mitchell to get better. So, put your head was rated a four-star prospect by down and work, the outcome is every major recruiting service and going to be beautiful. I took that and was the nation’s No. 1 inside linejust ran with it.” backer, according to Rivals, and a Mitchell also listened to what top-20 overall prospect. He was then-Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer rated No. 24 by ESPN and No. 44 by told himduring the recruiting proc247Sports.ess.
He could have gone anywhere in “Coach Meyer told methat when the country and probably would you come to Ohio State, you’re have started as a freshman for most choosing the hard route, and I programs. embraced that,” Mitchell said.
“It’s crazy because I saw a lot of “That’s what I wanted. So, coming backlash from people (in Virginia) in, I knew it was going to be a saying why did I go to Ohio State,” challenge.” said Mitchell, who played in the Meyer announced his retire2018 Under Armour All-America ment after the 2018 season due to Game and was a finalist for the health reasons. Day took over.
High School Butkus Award, given In two seasons, Mitchell has to the nation’s top linebacker. “I made his mark on special teams. told people this is the place you go if He’s played in 20 games and reyou want to be around the best corded 12 tackles, including a catalent. Iron sharpens iron.” reer-high four against Rutgers last
He also sought advice from forseason. mer Ohio State and Lake Taylor This season, the Buckeyes have High star Jalyn Holmes, who exone of the most talented group of perienced the same thing. linebackers in the country. The
“I’m going down the same path group is led by three-time captain that he went down,” Mitchell said Tuf Borland, Pete Werner, Baron about Holmes, who was a two-time Browning and Justin Hilliard, who All-Big Ten selection and was chotogether have 68 career starts. sen in the fourth round of the 2018 “The linebacker position is a very NFL draft by the Minnesota Vi- mature group when you look at
Pete, Tuf, Baron and Justin Hilliard,” Day told 247Sports. “Those are four guys who have played a lot of football here. They have played in a lot of games. … Plus, we have depth underneath them with guys pushing them like Teradja and Dallas Gant. It will be fun to see those guys compete as the season goes on.”
Mitchell is motivated by his chances to see the field more this season, starting with Nebraska, which also has a local player in defensive lineman and former Nansemond River standout Pheldarius Payne.
“I’m going to get a lot more playing time than I did last year,” said Mitchell, whoearned Academic All-Big Ten honors last season and is a two-time OSU ScholarAthlete. “I’ve been working really hard during this quarantine and I’m excited to get back on the field. They’re going to see a lot of energy.”
Beginning this month, he’s also adopted a vegan lifestyle, dropping from 247 pounds to 235.
“I feel amazing,” he said. “My body has changed, and I have a lot more energy. I feel faster and stronger.
“My game has grown so much and now I’m ready to show the world.”