OSU Buckeyes: 2013 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 outside linebacker Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) will be the first to admit there’s prestige for being a Big Ten Conference linebacker. It was one of several reasons why he chose Ohio State during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Saturday.
Mitchell, No. 121 in the ESPN, chose the Buckeyes over Texas A&M and Oregon. Along with building a great relationship with his recruiting contact, offensive coordinator Tom Herman, Mitchell said he did his homework on the resume of the prototype Big Ten linebackers.
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SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 outside linebacker Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) has been a hot topic of discussion for months. On Saturday, he became even more of a topic for the followers of BuckeyeNation.
Mitchell verbally committed to Ohio State and became the Buckeyes’ 21st commitment. The 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker chose Ohio State over Texas A&M and Oregon.
“I love the coaches, and it’s a really good opportunity for me to play early and play for a starting job,” Mitchell said. “I really feel good going to that school. I felt like I fit in really well.”
Ranked No. 121 in the ESPN 150, Mitchell was recruited by offensive coordinator Tom Herman.
Mitchell verbally committed to Ohio State and became the Buckeyes’ 21st commitment. The 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker chose Ohio State over Texas A&M and Oregon.
“I love the coaches, and it’s a really good opportunity for me to play early and play for a starting job,” Mitchell said. “I really feel good going to that school. I felt like I fit in really well.”
Ranked No. 121 in the ESPN 150, Mitchell was recruited by offensive coordinator Tom Herman.
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 wide receiver James Quick (Louisville, Ky./Trinity), the top-ranked player in Kentucky, decided to stay home rather than head upstate or head west.
Quick verbally committed to Louisville during the second half of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. Ranked No. 98 in the ESPN 150, Quick became the Cardinals’ 12th commitment of the 2013 recruiting class. He also is the second receiver committed and now becomes the top-ranked commit of the class.
Recruited by defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, Quick chose Louisville over Ohio State and Oregon.
Quick verbally committed to Louisville during the second half of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome. Ranked No. 98 in the ESPN 150, Quick became the Cardinals’ 12th commitment of the 2013 recruiting class. He also is the second receiver committed and now becomes the top-ranked commit of the class.
Recruited by defensive coordinator Vance Bedford, Quick chose Louisville over Ohio State and Oregon.
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 300 wide receiver Shelton Gibson (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights) has continuously looked like one of the best slot receivers for the East during practices for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
It’s no wonder why schools from across the land are going all in for him.
It’s no wonder why schools from across the land are going all in for him.
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Army Bowl: Wednesday notebook 
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
3:08
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Wednesday was a day off for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl teams. Instead of working out and participating in drills, the players took in visits around the city -- including a stop at the Alamodome for photo opportunities and to see their game apparel -- and used the day to recover from two days of practice.
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
The teams will return to the fields on Thursday in arguably the most important practice of the week. Here are five things to keep an eye on for Thursday’s practice:
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Elliott enjoying dual role at Army Bowl
January, 2, 2013
Jan 2
12:16
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- Wednesday was a day of rest -- time off the football field, at least -- for the U.S. Army All-Americans. For players such as Ohio State commit Ezekiel Elliott (St. Louis/John Burroughs), the rest was well deserved.
An ESPN 150 running back, Elliott has double-dipped for the West team as a running back and a defensive back. The 6-foot, 205-pound athlete has seen time at safety because of roster injuries.
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SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 300 wide receiver Tony Stevens (Orlando Fla./Evans) knows where he wants to go to school, but he’ll wait until Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl to announce it.
Florida State, Texas A&M and Ohio State are the three schools Stevens will choose from.
“I know where I want to go,” said Stevens, the No. 29 receiver and No. 207 player overall. “Basically [it came down to] how I felt when I went to the school and how they treated me.”
Florida State, Texas A&M and Ohio State are the three schools Stevens will choose from.
“I know where I want to go,” said Stevens, the No. 29 receiver and No. 207 player overall. “Basically [it came down to] how I felt when I went to the school and how they treated me.”
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U.S. Army Bowl: Tuesday notebook
January, 1, 2013
Jan 1
7:52
PM ET
By
William Wilkerson and
Damon Sayles | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO – ESPN 150 wide receiver James Quick (Louisville, Ky./Trinity) has drawn plenty of attention for his play through two practices for the East team in preparation for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
He’ll garner even more eyes his way on Saturday when he announces his commitment during the game.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder said he is down to Louisville, Ohio State and Oregon. Though his decision will come Saturday, it could be finalized by Wednesday morning, as he sits down to discuss his options with his parents, who are in town for the event.
He’ll garner even more eyes his way on Saturday when he announces his commitment during the game.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder said he is down to Louisville, Ohio State and Oregon. Though his decision will come Saturday, it could be finalized by Wednesday morning, as he sits down to discuss his options with his parents, who are in town for the event.
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U.S. Army Bowl: Monday notebook
December, 31, 2012
12/31/12
8:51
PM ET
By
Damon Sayles and
William Wilkerson | ESPN.com
SAN ANTONIO -- ESPN 150 outside linebacker Mike Mitchell (Plano, Texas/Prestonwood Christian) isn’t big on speaking publicly. He’d rather let his game do the talking -- and it speaks volumes.
On Monday, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker officially confirmed that he will announce his college plans during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Oregon, Texas A&M and Ohio State are his three finalists.
Mitchell said all three schools -- and even a fourth, Oklahoma -- had their positive qualities throughout his recruiting process. It was a feeling of comfort, however, that seemed to win him over.
On Monday, the 6-foot-5, 222-pound linebacker officially confirmed that he will announce his college plans during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Oregon, Texas A&M and Ohio State are his three finalists.
Mitchell said all three schools -- and even a fourth, Oklahoma -- had their positive qualities throughout his recruiting process. It was a feeling of comfort, however, that seemed to win him over.
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ABOUT BUCKEYE NATION
Austin Ward
Austin Ward joined ESPN.com in 2012 after five years as a college football writer at the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune and the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel. The award-winning journalist lives with his wife in Columbus, Ohio. Email him at ajward.espn@gmail.com.
Brad Bournival
Brad Bournival, a lifetime Northeast Ohio resident, joined ESPN in 2012 and is the recruiting writer for BuckeyeNation. He has covered sports at the professional, college and high school level for 16 years. Recently, Bournival was a freelance writer for The Plain Dealer, The Medina Gazette and SportsInk.com. Email him at bradbournival.espn@gmail.com.