Name: Aaron Mitchell
School: Fresno state
Position: Center
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 305
Q: What were some of your goals heading into your final collegiate season?
Heading into my final season as a dog, I was hoping for something special. We as a team went back to the drawing board to figure out what we can do to win games. As for myself, I wanted to be the best captain this team could ask for and win the mountain west. I was able to win 2nd team all mountain west, but most importantly, we put Fresno state back on the map.
Q: If you could describe your style of play in 3 words, what would they be?
If I could describe my play in 3 words I would say blue collared, physical, and nasty. I love the physicality of offensive line play. The constant hand fight and chess battle of a one on one. I had the choice a long time ago to change, but I felt like I fit in as an offensive lineman.
Q: How will you train and prepare this offseason for the draft or other pro opportunities?
I decided to train at Fresno state with my strength coaches. I wanted to stay in the weight room that built me to be who I am today.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on or look for?
When I’m studying film, there are a lot of things that I look at. At first it’s strictly opponent based. What does a certain player do and what are his tendencies. Then it moves to what have other players in my position done to win or lose. Then what type of plays do we want to run to expose those times that the offensive line got victories. It’s a long process and a lot of hours in the film room, but I love it.
Q: What separates you from the other players at your position?
What separates me is that I play with a chip on my shoulder and my knowledge of the playbook and how fast I can get to know an offense. My football IQ is what has helped me become the player I am. Also, with coming out of Fresno State, it’s a very blue collar team that works hard an grinds things out until they are right.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
Some strengths that I bring to the table is leadership and ability to adapt. With the ability to adapt here at Fresno, I’ve been through three different offenses and have had a different role in all of them. Especially playing center and all the moving parts I’ve had to make a lot of calls and read a lot of defenses to make sure we were in the right protection or situation we needed to be in. Off the field, I would say I know how to flip the switch. Most guys that play high level ball are always switched on to just ball and I know how to when it’s time to relax and let the mind float, I can do that. I think it really helps with preparation and staying calm in hectic situation in tight games when my boys need it.
Q: What is your final pitch or sell to NFL and other pro league scouts?
It’s something that I’ve said since high school that it only takes one team to give me a chance and if the door may only be cracked open a little I’m going to bust through it and grind. Let alone Fresno State was my only offer to play ball and I walked out of there with 38 consecutive starts.