Cliffs Notes: Texas picked up commitment No.18 for the 2023 recruiting class on Sunday with the verbal pledge of Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic defensive tackle Sydir Mitchell.
Rankings: Here's the industry breakdown...
Rivals: (5.8) Low four-star, NR overall nationally, No.15 DT, No.4 in New Jersey
ESPN: (83) Low Four-Star, No.148 overall nationally, No.11 DT, No.2 in New Jersey
On3: (87) High Three-star, NR overall nationally, No.81 DL, No.12 in New Jersey
247: (89) High Three-star, NR overall nationally, No.44 DL, No.5 in New Jersey
247 composite: (.9027) Low Four-Star, No.308 overall nationally, No.45 DL, No.4 in New Jersey
Notable offers: Texas (6/17 OV), Georgia (5/20 OV), Texas A&M 6/3 OV), Auburn, Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State
Evaluation: At his very, very best, you can see why a lot of big-time programs have invested a lot of time in the 6-6, 340-pound Mitchell because when he's at his best, he's an incredibly large human that can get off the ball quickly, uses his hands well, has a high football IQ and can make plays up and down the line of scrimmage between the tackles. Honestly, I'm not sure that much more needs to be said about him other than that. Kids that are 6-6, 340 pounds don't grow on trees and when they flash some skill, they potentially become worth their weight in gold. The issue with Mitchell is that even on plays where he's productive, he doesn't always combine all of the things you can like about him. At times he can play too high, On other occasions, he doesn't get off the ball quickly and it's probably because he's getting tired during a cause of a game. What he needs is good coaching and a fantastic strength and conditioning program, but if he puts it all together over the course of the next 4-5 years, he's got a chance to play on Sundays.
Why it matters: In a weak year for defensive interior linemen in the state of Texas, the UT coaches went out of state to help fill the void. He's a bit of a project, but you can see a future pro player inside that kid in time and you don't have to look very hard to find it. The commitment also allows the Longhorns to plant a flag inside of New Jersey for the first time since it landed Chris Simms and at a high school that produces talent (Brian Cushing is an alum) semi-regularly.
Expectations: I'm not sure what anyone should expect with Mitchell because the Longhorns have never really signed anyone like him in the last two decades outside of someone like former JUCO talent Brandon Moore (6-6, 335). If he can control his weight and commit himself to the weight room, it's easy to envision him being a factor on the field as early as 2024. There's also a universe out there where he doesn't ever quite control his weight and never becomes a factor in the program. It's all going to come down to his commitment level to reaching his potential.
