Press release: Hounds' Mitchell garners third preseason honor
PORTALES, N.M.— Senior cornerback Rodney Mitchell (Sarasota, Fla./Palmetto HS/NMMI) from the Eastern New Mexico University football team has been selected Preseason Second Team D2Football.com All-American. The honor marked the third preseason All-American selection for Mitchell, after being named by The Sporting News and Lindy’s Sports.
Mitchell was one of two Lone Star Conference defensive backs to be named on the team, as five total players were selected from the LSC.
He tied for seventh in Division II and first in the LSC South Division with seven interceptions. Mitchell also led the LSC with 23 passes broken up, eight ahead of the closest competitor and was one of the top tackling defensive backs in the conference, finishing with 72 tackles. He recorded two interceptions in each of the first two games of the season, against CSU-Pueblo and Southwestern Oklahoma State. Mitchell scored his first touchdown against Texas A&M-Commerce, returning his fifth interception of the season 22 yards. Over the last four games of the season, Mitchell broke up 12 passes, including five against Tarleton State.
Mitchell and the Eastern New Mexico University football team will open their 2010 season at home against Southern Nazarene, sponsored by Sievers Sports Medicine. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. MST.
2010 D2Football.com All-America Team - Preseason
First Team Offense
QB — Blake Bolles, Northwest Missouri, Sr.
RB — Isaac Odim, Minnesota-Duluth, Sr.
RB — Jonas Randolph, Mars Hill, Jr.
WR — Jake Soy, Northwest Missouri, Jr.
WR — Thomas Mayo, Concord, Jr.
TE — Ryan Travis, West Liberty. Sr.
OL — David Mims, Virginia Union, Sr.
OL — Cameron Bradfield, Grand Valley, Sr.
OL — Trevis Turner, Abilene Christian, Sr.
OL — Brett Grozinger, Northwest Missouri, Sr.
OL — Brandon Fusco, Slippery Rock, Sr.
First Team Defense
DL — Cedric Thornton, Southern Arkansas, Sr.
DL — Danny Richard, Grand Valley, Sr.
DL — Xavier Brown, C.W. Post, Sr.
DL — Aston Whiteside, Abilene Christian, Jr.
LB — Justin Victor, Grand Valley, Sr.
LB — Robbie Aurich, Minnesota-Duluth, Sr.
LB — Matt Freed, East Stroudsburg, Sr.
DB — Pierre Desir, Washburn, So.
DB — Ron Parker, Newberry, Sr.
DB — Mario Russell, Carson-Newman, Sr.
DB — Ryan Jones, Northwest Missouri, Sr.
First Team Specialists
AP — Deante Steel, Shepherd, Sr.
K — Greg Zuerlein, Nebraska-Omaha, Sr.
P — Kevin Berg, Chadron State, Sr.
Second Team Offense
QB — Zach Amedro, West Liberty, Sr.
RB — Levi Terrell, Nebraska-Omaha, So.
RB — Alfonso Hoggard, Clarion, Sr.
WR — Andre Holmes, Hillsdale, Sr.
WR — Terrance Moore, California, Sr.
TE— Mike Higgins, Nebraska-Omaha, Sr.
OL— Jason Wiseman, Northwest Missouri, Sr.
OL— Nick Madia, West Liberty, Sr.
OL — Harrison Lingenfelter, Nebraska-Omaha, Sr.
OL — Michael Tribue, Carson-Newman, Sr.
OL — Dan Jordan, California, Sr.
Second Team Defense
DL — Marc Schiechl, Colorado Mines, Sr.
DL — Bryan Braman, West Texas A&M, Sr.
DL — Malcolm Jenkins, Elizabeth City, Sr.
DL — Alex Cook, Fort Valley, Sr.
LB — Chad Kilgore, Northwest Missouri, Jr.
LB — Nick Thomas, Wayne State (Mich.), Jr.
LB — Clay Beeler, West Liberty, Sr.
DB — Branden Williams, Edinboro, Jr.
DB — Rodney Mitchell, Eastern New Mexico, Sr.
DB — Jesse Hamilton, Minnesota State, Jr.
DB — Curtis Jefferson, West Texas A&M, Sr.
Second Team Specialists
AP — Trevar Deed, Delta State, Sr.
K — David Van Voris, Adams State, So.
P — Justin Hinson, UNC-Pembroke, Sr.
