Davon Mitchell was supposed to be the next Mark Andrews at Oklahoma. The former Rivals250 tight end had it all planned out. The Sooners offense fit what he was looking for at the time and he was very close with the coaches and players on the roster. Norman was where he wanted to be.
Until it wasn’t.
Mitchell announced last week that he is entering the transfer portal when it opens on Wednesday. The talented tight end will surely have plenty of suitors and he is already weighing his options. At his next stop, Mitchell, who has four years of eligibility remaining, has time to grow and develop into the player everyone expected him to be.
"I’ve learned that college football is a business, but it’s also a brotherhood," Mitchell said. "Success takes more than talent. It takes buy-in, structure, and real leadership. I’ve also seen how important communication and trust between players and coaches really is.
"Oklahoma challenged me in ways I never expected," he said. "The level of competition, the expectations, the pressure - it all forced me to grow. I became more disciplined, more self aware, and more resilient in a way. I learned how to respond to adversity and stay focused on the bigger picture.
"I’m staying locked in with my training, taking care of my body, and studying the game constantly," said Mitchell. "I’m also doing a lot of self reflection thinking about what I want out of this next chapter and how I can be the best version of myself for whatever team I join next."
Mitchell, who is represented by A&P Sports, hasn't focused on a small group of potential schools just yet but he has an idea of what he hopes to find.
"I’m keeping an open mind and doing my research, but I definitely want to visit programs that have a strong culture, proven development at my position, and a track record of success," Mitchell said. "Staying close to home is always something to consider, especially with family and support systems nearby. But at the end of the day, the best fit for me on and off the field will be the deciding factor, whether that’s in Texas or out of state.
"Fit is everything," he said. "I’m looking for a school where I can be developed both on and off the field, somewhere I can compete for a championship, and a staff that genuinely believes in me and my goals. Culture, coaching stability, and opportunity will all play big roles in my decision. I’m looking for an offense that plays fast, is creative, and allows me to be the playmaker I am. I want to be somewhere that spreads the ball around and lets athletes make plays."
As Mitchell essentially restarts the recruiting process, he wants coaches and fans understand what is driving him to reach his goals.
"I’m motivated by my family," Mitchell said. "They have been with me through it all but I'm mostly motivated by my little brother that lives with me. I really just want be a good example for him and show him there's more to the world. I’ve got something to prove, not just to others, but to myself. I know what I’m capable of and I’m determined to make the most of every opportunity that comes next.
"I want [fans and coaches] to see me as someone who works hard, does things the right way, and shows up when it matters most," he said. "I'm someone who puts the team first, stays humble, and handles their business on and off the field."
Mitchell was one of the highest ranked tight ends in the 2024 recruiting class. He was originally supposed to be a member of the 2025 class but reclassified to get to the college level faster. Alabama and Miami were just two of his other top choices when he signed with Oklahoma.
Stay locked in on the Rivals Transfer Tracker to keep up with the latest transfer news, portal entries, commitments, and rankings. For a deep-dive into the transfer portal, make sure you visit the Rivals Transfer Search page.
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The spring college football transfer portal window is scheduled to open on April 16th, 2025 for 10 days. It is the second transfer window of the 2025 recruiting cycle. The winter college football transfer portal window opened on December 9th, 2024 for 20 days. There was also a five-day window for players to transfer after their team finished postseason play. Additionally, players get a 30-day window to transfer when their head coach leaves.
