Vols transfer Mitchell adds key leadership
KNOXVILLE — Who needs Greg Sankey as an SEC spokesman when you’ve got Tennessee linebacker Juwan Mitchell?
Mitchell, who led Texas in tackles last season before transferring to Tennessee, praised his new conference and congratulated the Longhorns on their future move to the SEC on Thursday.
“I’m proud of them. They should (want to join the SEC),” Mitchell said. “They want to come over here just like I do.
“I pretty much look at the SEC as the Big 12 and Big Ten combined.”
Now that Mitchell is established as a proud SEC athlete, what can he do for the Vols?
He believes he adds instincts, leadership and an understanding of the Tennessee defense, which has transitioned from multiple sets under former coach Jeremy Pruitt to mostly a 4-2-5 scheme under Josh Heupel.
At Texas, Mitchell played in a 3-4 scheme in 2019 and a version of a 4-2-5 last season.
“(Mitchell has) savviness as far as seeing formations, being able to get lined up, knowing what adjustments are, just because he’s been a part of two pretty complex systems at the university he was at last time,” linebackers coach Brian Jean-mary said.
That experience has accelerated Mitchell’s role despite arriving on campus this summer.
“(I’m) learning everybody else’s role on the defense so I can get them lined up and worry about myself later,” Mitchell said. “… We’re in a 4-2-5 here, so I’m ready for it.”
Can Mitchell help Vols like he did Longhorns?
The Vols hope Mitchell can be a steady force at inside linebacker like he was for the Longhorns.
In two seasons at Texas, he played 21 games with 13 starts. Last season, he led the team with 62 tackles, including 41⁄2 for loss, in 10 games.
Mitchell, a 6-foot-1, 226-pounder, said that production wasn’t merely being in the right place at the right time.
“I found a routine that really helped me (at Texas). Monday through Wednesday, I had my coach pick me up at 5:45 (a.m.) and be there with the (defensive coaching) staff breaking down film,” Mitchell said. “So pretty much, (I was) finding out the ‘why’ of why they’re calling calls and not just going with the call.”
There are reasons to believe Mitchell can have a similar impact for the Vols as with the Longhorns. The defenses performed comparably last season.
Texas ranked No. 64 in total defense and No. 61 in scoring defense. Tennessee was No. 65 in total defense and No. 61 in scoring defense.
And their competition was comparable, both ranking in the top 40 in strength of schedule. But Texas had a 7-3 record while Tennessee went 3-7.
“I’ve got two rings — even though they’re (Alamo) Bowl rings — but I know the standard it needs to be,” Mitchell said. “I know what it looks like when (the standard) is not there. And I look at myself first when it’s not there.”
‘Really fun to see on Saturdays’
The Vols desperately need all that Mitchell hopes to give them because the linebacking corps was decimated in the offseason.
Starters Henry To’o To’o and Quavaris Crouch transferred to Alabama and Michigan State, respectively. And Martavius French left the team after being suspended in spring practice.
“Because (the linebackers are) so young and they haven’t had real collegiate experience, he brings a lot of that (experience),” Jean-mary said. “He was a starter in another Power Five conference. He brings a lot of savvy and veteran leadership, which is what this group needed.”
With the Sept. 2 opener against Bowling Green approaching, Mitchell has made a good first impression. That could indicate his potential impact or the low expectations of the otherwise inexperienced linebackers unit, or both.
“You can just tell from his demeanor as he walks around the building what kind of guy he is,” junior linebacker Roman Harrison said. “He’s a dog. I love the way he plays. He plays fast, aggressive, smart. He’s going to be really fun to see on Saturdays.”
Reach Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @Adamsparks.