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Stephen Holder, ESPN
INDIANAPOLIS — When Adonai Mitchell signed with the University of Georgia in 2021, he was one of just five members of his recruiting class ranked outside the ESPN 300.
Of the 20 signees, 16 were considered four- or five-star recruits. Mitchell was not one of them.
And yet, the lanky three-star receiver from Missouri City, Texas, had the audacity to believe he could compete at one of the top programs in the country. He even had the nerve to think he could play as a freshman for a team that would go on to win the national championship that fall.
Mitchell, who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the 52nd overall pick last month, was right on both counts.
“He’s got a lot of confidence in his own ability,” said Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who coached Mitchell in 2023 after his transfer from Georgia. “I think the thing that you find out quickly when you get around him is the moment’s never too big for him.”
Colts Southwest area scout Anthony Coughlan, who studied Mitchell for the past year, had similar takeaways.
“He thinks he belongs,” Coughlan said. “He’s got talent and he knows it.”
All of which raises a couple of questions: Why did Mitchell, considered a top talent, slip out of the first round of the 2024 NFL draft? And what should we make of the concerns about his character expressed in some recent reports, sentiments that may have affected his draft stock?
Those opinions prompted Colts general manager Chris Ballard to launch into a profanity-laced rant in defense of Mitchell during a post-draft news conference, saying, among other things, “It’s crap. This is a good kid. And for those reports to come out, it’s bulls—.”
Among the reports were claims that Mitchell interviewed poorly with teams and criticisms from league personnel about his preparation and attitude, according to separate accounts from NFL Network and longtime NFL reporter Bob McGinn.
On the other hand, those who have spent time around Mitchell painted a picture of a competitive 21-year-old whose edgy personality can sometimes be misinterpreted, a young father who adores his daughter, and a player whose teammates embraced him.
“We had a great experience with AD in his time here,” Sarkisian said. “We were better as a football team with him joining our team for one season, and I think he got better as a football player. I thought it was a win-win for both sides. I really enjoyed being around AD every day, whether in meetings or on the practice field. And he worked extremely hard, and I thought he improved his game.”
Mitchell, who will debut at the Colts’ rookie minicamp this weekend, excelled at Texas in 2023, turning in his best season with 55 receptions for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns. During his two seasons at Georgia (2021-22) and lone season with the Longhorns, Mitchell caught a touchdown in each of the five College Football Playoff games in which he appeared. Then, at the NFL scouting combine in March, he had a dazzling performance in physical testing. Mitchell’s 4.34-second 40-yard dash was the third fastest among receivers, and his 11-foot, 4-inch broad jump was tops at the position.
Still, Mitchell was the 11th receiver drafted in a deep class.
Being selected in the first round was important to Mitchell, but remaining on the board after Day 1 didn’t shake him. According to a person close to him, Mitchell pulled himself together that evening and did the only thing he could: He went and worked out.
So, what gives? Is Mitchell just misunderstood?
Maybe.
When Ballard called Mitchell to inform him he was being selected by the Colts, Ballard asked, “You tired of sitting around?” He got a flavor of Mitchell’s personality.
“The passion came out pretty clearly on the phone,” Ballard said.
One complicating factor with Mitchell that was previously reported is how he has handled having Type 1 diabetes since being diagnosed at age 16. He has, at times, had challenges staying on track with his medication, which can significantly affect his mood. It’s a common problem among diabetics and not something unique to Mitchell.
Two sources close to Mitchell told ESPN it’s something he has focused on addressing. He recently hired a private chef and is adhering to a nutritional plan to help him better govern his diet relative to his diabetes.
The situation does not seem to be of concern to the Colts, who weighed the issues when evaluating Mitchell, according to team sources. The Colts’ decision to move forward with selecting him is telling, given how much the organization has historically valued high-character players and held its draft picks to high standards.
Case in point: The Colts had real reservations about another former Georgia receiver, 2022 second-round pick George Pickens, who was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickens, who has developed into a solid receiver and had 1,140 yards last season, generated significant debate among teams before his draft because of concerns about his maturity.
The Colts seem to have viewed Mitchell in a different light. Part of their comfort level comes from relationships between members of the Colts’ staff and staffers at Texas who helped the Colts access reliable information. Coach Shane Steichen and offensive assistants spent significant time consulting with Texas staffers and were on campus for the school’s pro day.
Clearly, Mitchell has a fan in Sarkisian.
The coach spoke glowingly about how Mitchell embraced the new culture at Texas shortly after his arrival, something that can be challenging for a transfer. Mitchell, according to Sarkisian, “bought into the things that we believe in” at Texas. Mitchell has even committed to coming back to Texas to finish his degree after entering the draft following his junior year.
When asked to describe a moment that he thought best described Mitchell’s personality, Sarkisian’s answer was revealing. Sarkisian turned immediately to Mitchell’s relationship with his daughter, Icylinn.
“The way he takes care of his daughter and the compassion and love that he has for her, I think that’s exactly who he was in our locker room and around our team,” Sarkisian said. “He’s a compassionate guy. A family-oriented guy. He loves to feel the love, but he also likes to give love.
“And I think that’s the sign of a really good teammate and just a sign of the character that he has.”