Football

A cornerback with a knack for finding the ball, Caleb Mitchell has the potential to be among the top defensive players in the Ohio Valley Conference if he can stay healthy...injuries forced him to redshirt as a true freshman and cost him four games in 2010...made the move from free safety in 2010 spring drills and showed a thorough understanding of his new position last season...the biggest of Tech's cornerbacks, he's an extremely physical player and a very good tackler...has good speed and good hands...excellent toughness...might have developed into an MVP caliber player in his true freshman season in 2008, but an injury in the second game changed his course...can also return punts...has good ball skills...will figure prominently in Tech's "nickel" package...good pass defender and also strong providing support in run coverage...has made 102 tackles in his two-plus seasons... has made four appearances on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

AT TECH (In 2011): Mitchell was one of 12 Golden Eagles to start all 11 games for Tech in 2011...Had 18 unassisted tackles on the season and 28 stops in total...best game came at Jacksonville State when he made seven stops (six on his own)...Had two interceptions on the season, one at EIU for a 28-yard return, one at UT Martin for five yards...broke up four passes on the year...also helped the special teams as a punt returner, returning six punts for 89 total yards on the season...had a 46-yard punt return against Maryville College, racked up 72 all-purpose yards that game...finished the season with 112 all-purpose yards.

AT TECH (In 2010): Started six games and played in seven, but missed four games due to injuries as a junior...when he was on the field, he was one of the defensive leaders...despite missing four contests he still finished 10th on the team with 31 total tackles...had a sensational game in Tech's win over Eastern Illinois, making a season-high seven tackles, two interceptions (returning one for a touchdown) and forced a fumble...had six stops against UT Martin and Austin Peay.

AT TECH (In 2009): Started all 11 games at free safety as a redshirt freshman and ranked second on the team in total tackles with 63...finished with 4.5 tackles-for-loss and two quarterback sacks...broke up five passes and had two interceptions...led the team with three fumbles forced and two fumbles recovered....established career-high with 12 tackles in Tech's win at UT Martin...raised that three weeks later with 13 stops in a win over Tennessee State...also had two sacks, caused and recovered a fumble, and intercepted a pass in the victory over the Tigers that clinched the Sgt. York trophy...his other interception came at Eastern Illinois.

AT TECH (In 2008): Caleb was off to a great start to his career before an injury in the second game of the season sidelined him for the balance of the schedule...came off the bench in the season opener and had five tackles and one kickoff return in the victory over Gardner-Webb...made three solo tackles and broke up a Cardinal pass attempt at Louisville before suffering the season-ending knee injury...received medical redshirt status.

HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year starter for coaches Doug Goodwin and Perry Swindal at Russellville High School...also earned three letters in basketball and four in baseball...a team captain, he won the Best Defensive Back and Best Receiver awards for the Tigers....all-county and all-area, he was honorable mention all-state and selected to play in Alabama All-Star game...finished his career with 47 catches for 981 yards and 15 touchdowns...on defense he had 102 total tackles and 11 interceptions...helped the team to a three-year combined mark of 34-5.

PERSONAL: The son of John and Suzanne Mitchell...birthdate is December 21, 1989...full name is John Caleb Mitchell...majoring in EXPW/Coaching and Sport Administration.