2018 Beach LB Enjoys UNC Visit
Regarded as one of the top prospects nationally in the Class of 2018, Teradja Mitchell out of Bishop Sullivan Catholic (Virginia Beach Va.) ventured down to Chapel Hill last Thursday, March 31st, and came away more than impressed with the Tar Heels.
On the trip, Mitchell was accompanied by some fellow Tidewater area talents - Class of 2018 wide receiver and teammate Armani Chatman, former teammate and Class of 2017 WR/DB Chris Hunt, Class of 2017 WR D'Jon Askew of Cox High School and Class of 2018 ATH Dasamir Spriggins from Kempsville High School.
It was Mitchell's second time checking out UNC, and in his own words, saw a lot more than he did on the first visit.
"I got to see more of the campus. I really enjoyed seeing the business part of the school since I've been thinking about that being my minor," Mitchell told Tar Heel Illustrated.
"They have a great amount of alumni [and] very good connections at the school. On the athletic part, I watched their practice. I loved the intensity of the practice; the defense was very into it and swarming to the ball, which fits my type of play."
Clearly, Mitchell has the attention of many of the top programs around the country with offers from more than 20 schools. It's a list of who's who with the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Miami (FL) and many others.
Among those suitors is North Carolina. Tar Heels Head Coach Larry Fedora and his staff are making sure Mitchell hears their pitch, too.
"I also got to talk to Coach Fedora and the defensive coordinator, Coach [Gene] Chizik. It was a huge honor to talk to such a prestigious coach," added Mitchell. "He said he liked my film and he wants me there at UNC."
The UNC defense made significant strides in Chizik's first season as the d-coordinator, going from allowing 39 points per game in the year before his arrival to 24.5PPG allowed in 2015. However, there is always a need for an impact hitter with a college-ready frame like Mitchell.
"I was told that by the time I graduate, the linebacker spots will be very open. So I would have a great chance of playing early," pointed out Mitchell, now measuring in at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds.
At this point in the recruiting process, Mitchell is taking a very basic approach, listening to what everyone has to say.
“I’m treating all the colleges the same,” he noted. “If they are interested in me, I’m interested in them then.”
As a sophomore last year at Bayside High School, Mitchell recorded a team-high 97 tackles, nine for loss, four sacks and forced two fumbles. In January, he left the public school to transfer to nearby private school Bishop Sullivan.
"It was a very tough transition at first," acknowledged Mitchell. "But now I am accustomed to it and doing very well."
This weekend, Mitchell will be down in Tallahassee, visiting Florida State. He also told us that he plans, "getting to a lot of SEC schools," between now and when it's time to make a college choice.
Matthew Hatfield has covered football and basketball since 2004 for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network, and joined the staff at Tar Heel Illustrated in 2015. Follow Matt on Twitter @hatfieldsports, plus you can watch him on the Cox Sports Report as well as hear him each Saturday on ESPN Radio 94.1 from 10 AM to 12 PM EST.