Running Back Derrick Mitchell Looks Like Strong Fit For Texas Tech
By Joe Favia
At a position where Iowa is used to injuries decimating the depth chart, running back has been a crowded position the last couple of seasons for the Hawkeyes. One of the players who will be putting on a new uniform this fall is Derrick Mitchell who announced he will play for the Big 12’s Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Mitchell joins another ‘Derrick’ who spent time in Iowa City in wide receiver Derrick Willies who is already a member of the Red Raiders catching 18 passes and 2 touchdowns last season.
The Red Raiders are getting a talented player in Mitchell who best showcased his talents in a 40-10 win in 2015 against Northwestern, running for 79 yards with a touchdown, and catching 3 passes. He saw limited time in 2016 behind 1000 yard rushers Akrum Wadley and LeShun Daniels.
Mitchell came to Iowa as a wide receiver, and when I asked Matthew Conner of Wreck’Em Red what Texas Tech looks for in a running back, it seems like a good fit:
Though the quarterbacks and wide receivers get the bulk of the attention in Texas Tech’s offense, the running back position is critical. When the Red Raiders have been the most prolific (whether it be under Kingsbury or his mentor Mike Leach), they’ve have fantastic all-around running backs.
In 2014 and 2015, Tech had a 1,000-yard rusher in DeAndre Washington proving that Kingsbury does want to run the ball. In fact, he has stated that his preference would be to run the ball at least 40% of the time.
In this offense, running backs must do everything well. In addition to picking up yards on the ground, they must be quality receivers and most importantly, they must know how to pass protect.
Do not be deceived into thinking that the Texas Tech running backs are an afterthought. When Kingsbury has a dual-threat weapon at tailback, he can create matchup problems that give opposing defenses fits. That was lacking from the offense last season allowing opposing defenses to pin their ears back and go after Pat Mahomes. Now that Mahomes is gone, Tech will need to have greater production from the running backs because new starting quarterback Nick Shimonek (another former Hawkeye) is not the escape artist Mahomes was.
Obviously, Akrum Wadley is going to see the majority of the action at running back this Fall for Brian Ferentz’ offense, after passing on the NFL for another season. It appears Derrick Mitchell has a much better opportunity to carry the rock per Matthew’s thoughts at the current state of affairs in Lubbock:
The Texas Tech running back position was as unproductive in 2016 as it has been in recent memory. The leading rusher last season was Da’Leon Ward with a meager 428 yards. In fact, the top three running backs on the roster put up just 936 rushing yards as a group. They also didn’t find the end zone much only scoring seven touchdowns between them. Inconsistency and injuries stunted the running backs’ production throughout last season.
All three are still on the roster but senior-to-be Justin Stockton is mulling retirement from football due to concussions. Overall, the running back position is a weak spot on the Texas Tech roster, and it needed to be addressed this offseason.
Many Hawkeye fans hope to see Derrick Mitchell have a huge season this Fall. Especially on October 21st against the Cyclones.
We thank Matthew and the team at Wreck Em’ Red for their insight. Please follow all of their great Red Raider coverage!