LB Mitchell Bolsters Buffs Defense

BOULDER – Colorado's leading tackler, linebacker Juwan Mitchell, has certainly traveled a unique path on his way to the Buffaloes.

"It's been a blessing." Mitchell said earlier this week. "I kind of have been dealt a crazy hand, but I won't let that define me."

After graduating high school in 2018 from Mater Dei High School in New Jersey, Mitchell headed first to Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kan. As a freshman Mitchell recorded 55 tackles and all-conference honors. He then transferred to the University of Texas where he would play in 21 games from 2019-2020, and in 2020 he led the team in the tackles with 62 (32 solo).

Ironically, Mitchell played against the Buffs during the 2020 Valero Alamo Bowl, posting three tackles for the Longhorns on their way to defeating the Buffaloes 55-23.

After a coaching change in Texas, Mitchell headed to the University of Tennessee and started at middle linebacker for the Vols to open the 2021 season but missed the final nine games due to a shoulder injury that would require surgery and earn him a redshirt. In the 2022 season, Mitchell played in 10 games for the Vols, tallying 43 tackles and an interception.

Again, Mitchell would decide to hit the transfer portal, briefly finding a home at Arizona State before finally winding up a Buff just before the kick-off to the 2023 season.

Being involved with so many coaching staffs has assuredly offered its benefits. When Mitchell was asked about picking up the systems quickly after a late entry into CU's fall camp, he said, "It's also a blessing to me playing on so many staffs and things of that sort. I really learned coverages, I really learned how schemes fit. It may have different verbiage and things of that sort, but a strong hook is a strong hook."

Mitchell saw only special teams play during the Buffs' week one win over TCU. But in week two, Mitchell became the starting linebacker versus Nebraska, earning three total tackles, including one for a 12-yard loss. In week three, Mitchell exploded onto the stat sheet versus Colorado State, recording 15 total tackles. And in the Buff's first loss of the season, to the No. 10 Oregon Ducks, Mitchell hardly slowed down, notching 10 more total tackles.

Mitchell boosts the Colorado defense by giving them much-needed weaponry in the front seven, which bolsters the Colorado secondary. Mitchell not only leads the team in total tackles with 28, but he also ranks second in solo stops with 19 and has 2.5 tackles for loss. The boost that Mitchell provides to Colorado is exactly what the Buffs will need Saturday as they are set to host the No. 8 USC Trojans and returning Heisman trophy winning Quarterback Caleb Williams in a 10 a.m. game at Folsom Field (Fox).

"Everybody is waiting for us to respond. We don't have time for a pity party," Mitchell told the media Tuesday when asked about responding against USC.

Sometimes, the game of football doesn't come down to the X's and O's in a playbook. It becomes about the belief a team has in themselves, and Mitchell believes he's "that guy" for the Colorado Buffaloes.

Mitchell said, "I know I'm that guy but at the same time I'm humble enough to know I gotta work and prepare. I can't sleep on another opponent."