Sky's the limit for Air Force Academy-bound Mitchell
Seven inches taller and 110 pounds heavier since his freshman year, Wauconda senior Connor Mitchell has experienced a skyward path, which apparently knows no bounds.
So an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy seems like an appropriate next stop for the athletic defensive end. And it all happened at jet-speed.
"I started putting my stuff (video highlights) on Twitter and the next thing you know, Air Force messaged me," Mitchell said. "A week later, a coach is at my house, and then they offered me."
Air Force assistant football coach Ron Vanderlinden recently visited the Mitchell home, and this past week, after discussing with his family whether the academy would be a right fit for him, Mitchell verbally committed.
South Dakota State, Western Illinois and Winona State were among the other schools recruiting him.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Mitchell says Air Force is interested in him as a defensive end. The Falcons have earned a bowl bid eight times in head coach Troy Calhoun's nine seasons. They lost to Cal in the Armed Forces Bowl this season.
"I'm the type of person that's always looking for a challenge," Mitchell said. "Just to have the combination of academics and the high level of competition for football (that Air Force provides) is remarkable. It's the best of both worlds if I can go play a sport I love and serve my country."
Mitchell says he was just 5-9 and 130 pounds as a freshman. Head coach Dave Mills brought Mitchell up to the varsity as a sophomore and started him at cornerback. He played linebacker and tight end as a junior.
"Then I got 2 inches and 20 pounds bigger, and I put my hand in the dirt," Mitchell said.
He kept getting bigger and better, neither of which were much of a surprise. His dad, who played NAIA college basketball, is a "pretty big dude," son says.
"It runs in the family," Mitchell said of his size. "But it was just mostly eating right and working out."
Mitchell enjoyed a breakout senior campaign in helping the Bulldogs earn a state-playoff berth. He registered a school-record 24 tackles for loss to go along with 9 pass deflections. He also caught 2 touchdown passes as a tight end. He was named Class 6A honorable mention all-state and Daily Herald all-area.
Mitchell has familiarity with the armed forces. His cousin Kurt is an officer in the Marines, and his grandfather (dad's dad) served in the Air Force.
Mitchell's respect for both his cousin and grandfather certainly influenced his decision. He talked to both of them.
"They were an inspiration to me," Mitchell said.
Mitchell respectfully calls his cousin a "a big deal" in the Marines.
The same could be said for Wauconda football of Mitchell's commitment to the Air Force.