First-Year Grades: AD Mitchell

Georgia wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) during Georgia’s game against Alabama in the 2021 SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (Photo by Tony Walsh)

Georgia experienced a season unlike any other, which was winning a national title for the first time in 41 years.

Now that the year has ended in the best way possible, it is worth noting what the future holds for the Dawgs by reviewing how certain freshmen looked throughout the year.

We’ll start off by looking at one freshman who stood out more than most: AD Mitchell

Mitchell was a 3-star receiver, per 247Sports coming out of high school. After playing in Texas and Tennessee, he came onto the scene without a lot of hype. However, his performance during the annual G-Day game, where he led all receivers in yards, signaled that a great season may be around the corner for him.

Fast-forward to his touchdown catches in the National Championship Game and in the Orange Bowl, and it’s fair to say that Mitchell has adapted quickly. He also has taken advantage of the opportunities given to him during his freshman campaign in 2021.

Mitchell took advantage of a position group that saw key injuries throughout the season. George Pickens, Jermaine Burton, Dominick Blaylock, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Arian Smith and others dealt with injuries during the year, which opened the door for young players like Mitchell.

He capitalized on the opportunity by starting in 12 of the 15 games in 2021, finishing with 429 yards and four touchdowns. In the end, Mitchell led the receiver group in snaps for the season. 

Mitchell’s highlights, in addition to his catches in the playoffs, occurred in several key games throughout the year.

He had four catches on a single drive against Tennessee in the second quarter to set up a much-needed Georgia touchdown. He won SEC Freshman of the Week after hauling in four catches for 77 yards and a touchdown in Georgia’s win over South Carolina.

So, in a position group that is stacked with talent, Mitchell found ways to make his presence felt on the field. He was not without struggles, at times dropping passes or running incorrect routes. Sometimes his mistakes were quite costly, like a drop that ended a drive against Georgia Tech, or an incorrect route when execution was desperately needed in the SEC Championship. Game. However, his highs far outweighed his lows, and the 6-foot-4, 190-pound wideout should continue to fill his role effectively for years to come. 

Season Grade: A-