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Sydir Mitchell is one of the top players in the nation for the class of 2023. So, it isn’t surprising that some national powerhouse programs are after the talented defensive lineman.
The 6-foot-6, 310-pound defensive tackle has had – not shockingly – a standout junior season for north Jersey powerhouse Bergen Catholic. Mitchell with 25 total tackles, two sacks while causing one fumble and recovering a fumble. The four-star is ranked the No. 241 player in the nation according to Rivals.com.
He says that four programs have been going after him the hardest: Michigan, Texas A&M, Penn State and Rutgers.
“Recruiting has been going good. It has started to pick back up but it [has] been going pretty good,” Mitchell told ‘Rutgers Wire.’
He plans on visiting either Texas A&M or Michigan next. One factor to watch for with Mitchell is early playing time.
“It’s very important because I want to go somewhere that I known I can at my first year,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell provided a breakdown and some thoughts on these four programs. This group of four does not represent a trimming down of a list or any favorites. His list also includes offers from the likes of Boston College, Florida State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and USC among others.
On Michigan: “I love the way that they play their defense. [Defensive Line Coach Shaun] Nua is my guy. I love his energy and his passion for the game.”
On Michigan’s message to him: “[They say] That I can be a top defensive player on their team and if I keep playing the way I am playing then I will be.”
On Penn State and their recruitment of him: “[I like] the way that they play with their defensive line. They play hard and aggressive. The whole coaching staff is great. We talk maybe every other week but they are really fun people to be around there.”
On potentially visiting Penn State soon: “I will try to visit them. It just matters how my playoffs go and if we have a bye the first game but most definitely I will try to get to one of these schools.”
On Texas A&M and defensive line coach Elijah Robinson: “Oh yea, that’s my guy. I like the whole coaching staff there too. They got pieces they just got to put it all together.
On Rutgers, his interest in the in-state program: “They have been doing pretty good. They have a good class coming in and another good class coming in next year.”
On Rutgers and their rebuild: “It shows that the coaching staff really care and are trying to make their program great.”