In an era of NIL and transfers, is Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell one of the last non-power-conference top draft picks?
Louis Riddick goes through the tape to explain why Quinyon Mitchell is among the five prospects he loves the most heading into the 2024 NFL draft. In an NFL draft green room Thursday night filled with players from time-tested brands such as LSU, Alabama and Ohio State, Mitchell is the lone player among the 13 invitees to hail from a program outside a power conference.
"Facts," Mitchell said with a laugh in a phone interview last week."I feel like Toledo was loyal to me. They gave me that second chance. I feel like I got to develop so much. They made me the person and player I am today.") when he projects as the first cornerback off the board, it might reverberate even more as the years go on. No player from the Group of 5 or FCS got picked in the draft's first round last year, and Mitchell is the only one projected this season.
"His situation is very unique in the sense he had such strong relationships here" said Candle, who has had nine players drafted since 2017 heading into this year."He really appreciated his development during his time here. To risk that development and growth when you only have seven months to play, is that worth rolling the dice for?"
Former Toledo director of player personnel Ricky Ciccone recalls the kismet of newly hired receivers coach Kerry Dixon needing to remain in Florida after getting hired by the Rockets from the University of Florida because his wife was pregnant. Candle assigned him to recruit Florida in the spring of 2018 so he could stay close in case his wife went into labor. Williston is 22 miles south of Gainesville.
"It was real hard," he said."I'd been playing football my whole life, and now I'm watching from the sidelines and the background." And while he spent essentially a redshirt year working out in his hometown, the experience fostered an appreciation for how much he loved the game and dictated his level of dedication upon return. And Toledo believing in him forged an indelible bond, which led him to enroll that December.
"Those two guys took me under their wings," he said,"and I saw firsthand their businesslike approach to the game on and off the field. They are two great role models I looked up to." Mitchell pointed out that his development curve included him playing special teams, working into a partial starter and then a full starter. As he grew into a star, he appreciated how consistent Candle remained at every step.
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