Chase-ing a dream
Mitchell an example of perseverance as he prepares for NFL Draft
Chase Mitchell’s projection is a sixth- or seventh-round selection in the upcoming NFL draft or an undrafted free agent after recently completing his career as an offensive lineman at Vanderbilt.
He knows it’ll be an uphill battle to find his place in the league, but he just wants an opportunity.
Considering what Mitchell, a Washington High School graduate, has overcome in his life it’d be foolish to bet against him.
Once a self-described “horrible and uncoachable” middle schooler, Mitchell has grown to become a young father of two that has earned a college degree and potentially a chance to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
The NFL draft begins Thursday and is being held in Pittsburgh for the first time.
“I’m ready for however this pans out,” Mitchell said about the NFL draft. “I’m ready to go attack the NFL.”
Mitchell is having a draft and graduation party to celebrate the occasion on Saturday, the final day of the draft to see if he gets selected or if he’ll be signing a deal as an undrafted free agent.
He said he’s been contacted by a half dozen teams since his pro day and visited the Tennessee Titans.
Regardless of what happens, his journey has been a remarkable one.
Motivated by tragedy
When Mitchell was in seventh grade, his older brother Craig Rhodes-Mitchell was murdered in January of 2018 in McKeesport.
The sudden loss of his brother was a very tough and emotional moment for a young person to endure, but Mitchell decided to use it as motivation.
He wanted to honor his brother by becoming a better person.
“Before he was killed, I was a horrible student,” Mitchell said. “I won’t sugarcoat anything. I was uncoachable and wasn’t a player or person that was trying to be somebody who wanted to be great.
“If I’m 100 percent honest, my brother fueled the flame for me for a long time. As time went on, I experienced different mental battles that I had to go through, as any young man has to go through and overcome.”
Mitchell moved to Washington from McKeesport when he was in seventh grade.
That’s when he started to play sports. As he grew, football became apparent as a good sports avenue.
By the time he was a sophomore Mitchell had grown into a Division I prospect as an offensive lineman. The problem was he didn’t have the grades at that time to be NCAA eligible.
Over his final two years of high school he worked to get his grades in order and became eligible and signed with Liberty.
“I was getting a lot of interest, but I had horrible grades,” Mitchell said. “James Madison, Pitt and Rutgers tried to offer me, but they couldn’t because my grades were so bad that I would’ve been ineligible. My final two years of high school I really focused in and able to get NCAA eligible six days before signing day. I got 23 offers in those six days, but I stayed with the school I was committed to (Liberty).”
Mitchell credited his teachers at Wash High for helping him realize his potential.
“I had a lot of good teachers (at Wash High) who really invested a lot of time into me and pushed me to be something great,” Mitchell said. “Wash High showed me an unmatched type of love from the teachers to the coaches and classmates. In high school, I had so much help. They allowed me to grow into the person I am right now.”
Flourishing in college
Mitchell spent three seasons at Vanderbilt, including a redshirt year. He left Liberty on a high note, starting all 14 games at left tackle for the Flames during their undefeated regular season. The Flames went on to play in the Fiesta Bowl against Oregon.
After 2023, Mitchell transferred to Vanderbilt in the powerful Southeastern Conference and spent the last two seasons.
Again Mitchell was part of history. He started the game in 2024 when Vanderbilt upset No. 1-ranked Alabama. Vanderbilt won a school record 10 games this season and Mitchell was on an offensive line that protected Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia.
“The (college) process was very fun and a growing experience,” Mitchell said. “I was able to see a lot of different places that I would’ve never seen if I hadn’t chased this dream. I never really left the Pittsburgh area before college.”
Becoming a father
While Mitchell is proud of his accomplishments on the field, what gives him the biggest sense of pride is being a father.
Mitchell has two young sons, one is four years old and the other is 10 months. Fatherhood has taught him plenty
“I’m just trying to absorb everything that’s been thrown at me, so I can be a person that I can to help the kids that come after me,” Mitchell said. “I want to invest my time into my sons. I have two sons and I’m just trying to be the best example I can be for them. I ultimately want my sons to be a better version of who I am and I want to make that hard to do.”
Working and waiting
Mitchell participated in Vanderbilt’s pro day on March 20. He said he wished his running times were a bit faster, but made up for it with field drills.
In his talks with teams, scouts and coaches have told him they see him as a guard in the NFL.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, he’s been training and lifting weights to stay ready. He goes to different places to work out, including Wash High.
“I just need an opportunity,” Mitchell said. “Whether I’m drafted, or an PFA (priority free agent) I just want to have a chance to become part of a team and show them what I’ve got.”