The story surrounding Michael Hawkins and Davon Mitchell was meant to evoke memories of legendary quarterback-tight end duos like Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham, or Baker Mayfield and Mark Andrews. Expectations were high for this modern-day tandem, with the spotlight on tight end Mitchell, whose story at Oklahoma has come to an abrupt conclusion.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing around 275 pounds, Mitchell has officially departed from the Sooners after just one season, leaving behind a legacy filled with unfulfilled potential. Once ranked as a five-star recruit in the class of 2025, he opted to reclassify to 2024 to join Hawkins, a close friend and high school teammate, and chose Oklahoma over powerhouses like Miami and Alabama. His commitment came in July, and by January, he was officially enrolled.
In a tight end room that is still finding its footing, many believed Mitchell’s sheer talent could earn him a spot in the starting lineup as a true freshman. Rivals had placed him as the No. 10 tight end and No. 215 overall player in the nation as the 2024 cycle drew to a close, underscoring the hype surrounding his arrival in Norman.
However, the reality was a different story. Mitchell didn’t make the Sooners’ Week 1 depth chart, and early in the season, he found himself sitting on the sidelines, prompting head coach Brent Venables to face questions regarding his development. Venables took a patient approach, suggesting that while Mitchell was still adjusting, he was trending in the right direction.
“Davon will be the first to tell you it took him a little while to transition,” Venables noted. His candid assessment revealed that Mitchell struggled with the demands of college life—the focus, timeliness, and responsibilities that many young athletes face when making this significant leap. The head coach pointed out that there was nothing malicious about Mitchell’s struggles; he was learning, requiring time and support to adapt.
As autumn progressed, Mitchell showed glimpses of potential. Venables acknowledged his improvement, singling him out as a scout team player of the week. The head coach emphasized that Mitchell had flipped the switch, becoming the athlete everyone hoped he could be. He began to take responsibility for his actions, a crucial step for any player navigating the early stages of their collegiate career.
Despite this positive trajectory, Mitchell remained a non-factor in games, watching from the sidelines, even when the outcome was no longer in doubt. By the end of the regular season, he had not participated in a single snap. With the spring season approaching and reports noting a weight increase to 275 pounds, he found himself buried on the tight end depth chart behind converted linebacker Jaren Kanak, along with transfers Will Huggins and Carson Kent.
With all four years of eligibility still ahead of him, Mitchell’s time at Oklahoma has come to a close as he prepares to seek new opportunities elsewhere. This transition leaves Sooner fans pondering the unanswered question of what might have been if Mitchell’s career trajectory had taken a different path in Norman.
Oklahoma now shifts its focus to the future, with six scholarship tight ends on the roster: Huggins, Kanak, Kent, Kade McIntyre, Kaden Helms, and true freshman Trynae Washington. Each of these players will look to step up, perhaps inspired by the hope of what Mitchell’s story could have represented.
