Florida Atlantic receiver has only six catches last two seasons because of injuries, self-esteem

BOCA RATON — The only thing strong enough to stop Florida Atlantic redshirt junior John Mitchell isn’t a hulking linebacker or a hard-hitting defensive back.

John Mitchell’s problem, he believes, has been John Mitchell. When Mitchell wasn’t battling various injuries, including back problems that cost him all of the 2017 season, he was fighting self-esteem issues.

But if the confident John Mitchell that’s shown up to the start of FAU’s fall camp sticks around, the Owls may have found their next star receiver.

"My teammates, my coach, [wide receivers] coach DJ [McCarthy] has really helped bring that out," said Mitchell, who had six catches for 66 yards last season. "It’s just a matter of going and doing what you know you can do."

Mitchell has always stood out in FAU’s practices. He’s capable of turning any throw, accurate or wild, into a long gain by using his 6-foot-4 frame and an impressive vertical jump.

But the dominant plays Mitchell made in practice or scrimmages rarely translated to games because he found himself always overthinking things on the field. He only has one touchdown in three years, a 33-yard score against Rice in November 2016.

FAU head coach Lane Kiffin said Mitchell suffered from "classic" confidence issues.

"When you have some success, you get some confidence and you start to play better and feel better," Kiffin said. "I think that’s definitely been the case with him."

Mitchell can surely feel confident about his health. He’s been a full participant in all five fall camp practices.

Mitchell also stayed healthy for most of spring ball earlier this year. He missed the Owls’ final scrimmage in April with an undisclosed injury but shared spring game offensive MVP honors with all-conference tight end Harrison Bryant.

"We trust him," quarterback Chris Robison said. "We know he’s gonna run the right route and if we give him a chance with the ball, he’s more than likely gonna come down with it."

Mitchell’s newfound confidence and maturity partly come from acceptance. He’s shrugged off any concerns about being brittle or injury-prone because he knows the majority of injuries are out of players’ hands.

"You gotta just play, go out, and just do what you can, stretch off the field, recover off the field, and just trust yourself," Mitchell said. "Then it’s up to God after that."

Safety Teja Young said Mitchell is a dangerous receiver because of his "aggressive" routes.

"He’ll hand fight with you," Young said. "Like at the top of the routes, he’ll nudge a little bit."

FAU needs Mitchell at his best this fall. The Owls lost leading receiver Jovon Durante to the NFL Draft before injuries and transfers decimated the rest of the unit in spring camp.

FAU added numerous transfers, including Alabama’s Chris Herring and USF’s DeAngelo Antoine, this offseason. Antoine and freshman Eyin Cole have stood out early and will have a chance at earning first-team snaps in Saturday’s scrimmage at FAU Stadium.

But one of the few — and only — constants has been Mitchell thriving with the starters. If his confidence stays, so will Mitchell’s chances for a career year.

"I really like the connection that we have," Mitchell said of the receivers. "In the meetings, everybody seems to mesh really well. We’ve added a lot of weapons."

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