Is Arkansas Graduate Transfer Damon Mitchell An Option For Rutgers?

Yesterday, news outlets in Arkansas including SB Nation’s own Arkansas Fight, reported that Damon Mitchell has planned to transfer from the Arkansas football program. Mitchell, a New Jersey native who played at Cedar Creek HS, is the older brother of Scarlet Knight wide receiver Ahmir Mitchell, who himself transferred from Michigan, and will suit up for Rutgers next season.

What about Ahmir’s brother? Damon was recruited by none other than Chris Ash himself when he was defensive coordinator at Wisconsin and Arkansas, where Mitchell actually signed, so he knows Damon’s abilities on the field well. He was a 3-star quarterback recruit in the class of 2013, and switched positions when it became apparent that he was going to be be buried in the depth chart at that position at Arkansas. You have to think Ash could very well be reaching out to Damon Mitchell to find a place for him at Rutgers next fall. Of course, there is the added incentive to play with his brother, and to play near home for family to see him regularly. In a video showing Damon signing his National Letter of Intent for Arkansas back in February 2013, younger brother Ahmir was sitting right next to him:

As mentioned yesterday in Arkansas Fight by their reporter Doc Harper, Mitchell was responsible for a MASSIVE hit on a kick return against Florida just one month ago. It has gotten a lot of airtime on social media, for good reason as you can see in the link below:

In an attempt to get on the field in Arkansas, the 6’2”, 215 pound Mitchell has played mostly on special teams this season, and is responsible for six solo tackles and one forced fumble (seen above). He also had a limited role at running back, where he registered 7 carries for 18 yards.

Earlier this season Duwop (as Damon is called) had an interview in which he discusses his workouts to increase his bulk as he worked to find a place on the 2016 Razorback squad.

The announcement regarding Mitchell’s transfer was made by Razorbacks Head Coach Brett Bielema in a press conference scheduled to announce Arkansas’ invite to play in the Belk Bowl against ACC runner-up Virginia Tech. Since Mitchell’s transfer will take place following his graduation next May, he is eligible to play in the bowl game on December 29. Regarding Mitchell’s leaving, Bielema said, "He's going to be a senior grad transfer, he's a kid that I've have had several conversations with over the last four years and worked diligently with him over the last couple weeks to find a place for him next year."

With a lot of recent discussion regarding graduate transfers coming to Rutgers next fall, let’s hope Coach Ash has been looking at Duwop to join his brother Ahmir, and have a running back/wide receiver/special teams dual-threat brother combo on the field next fall. Of course as a graduate transfer, Damon will be immediately eligible to play for wherever he ends up, so why not Rutgers?