Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell declares for NFL draft after one year at Texas

In a poignant letter to his two year old daughter Icylinn, wide receiver Adonai Mitchell formally declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Mitchell transferred to Texas in 2023 after winning back-to-back national titles with the Georgia Bulldogs. One of the main reasons Mitchell transferred was to return to his home state and be closer to his daughter, who was born during his first year with the Bulldogs.

In his letter, Mitchell claimed his last memory of a strong Texas team was Vince Young and the 2005 national championship squad, thus Texas was not really on his radar. But when he started looking at teams closer to home, he found that the depth of the team and the coaches checked every box he was looking for.

“While I’m still feeling heartbroken about how the year ended, a bigger part of me is filled with pride,” Mitchell said in his letter. “Winning at Bama? First Texas club to make the playoff? Leaving The Big 12 with a trophy on the way out? That’s special, man. That’s extremely special. I’m blessed to have been part of it.”

Mitchell played all 14 games in his one season in Austin, catching 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns, a career best for him. His touchdown versus Washington in the playoff semifinal was his fifth College Football Playoff touchdown, the other four coming with Georgia. It was also his fifth game played in his playoff career.

ESPN football expert Mel Kiper Jr. rated Mitchell as the No. 7 wide receiver in the class in his prospect rankings, one position below his Texas teammate Xavier Worthy.

Despite declaring for the draft at the end of his junior year, Mitchell said Texas isn’t done with him yet, and he planned on coming back to finish his degree in physical culture and sports.

Mitchell congratulated Georgia and Texas players and coaching staff for his undergraduate experience and accomplishments in both programs.

“This is a time in my life I’m always going to treasure,” he remarked. “Honestly, thinking about all the places I’ve been and things I’ve gotten to do is almost overwhelming. I’m simply so grateful for it all.