SW DeKalb WR Mitchell impressed after official visit

Before the weekend, Southwest DeKalb receiver Jacoby Mitchell was unsure how he would react to the small-college-town atmosphere of Western Carolina. But his official visit to the Cullowhee, N.C., school, which he took with three of his SWD teammates this past weekend, really caught his eye, especially the improvements to the football program. "I was really impressed by Western," Mitchell said in a text message Sunday. "It was real laid-back and a place I can really focus on my craft and on athletics. The campus has a new football facility (which) has new astro turf and they're getting a new jumbo tron." Mitchell is intrigued by Western's spread offense, but said he's still "trying to weigh out my options once I take the four other visits (which has yet to be determined)." The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder also has offers from Delaware, Furman, Georgia Southern, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Alabama-Birmingham, Middle Tennessee and Akron.

East Carolina may offer SW DeKalb WR Jacoby Mitchell

East Carolina has shown strong interest in Jacoby Mitchell, the Southwest DeKalb wide receiver said this week. Mitchell said he heard from an East Carolina recruiter who said the program was impressed with his highlight video. “[The recruiter] said they’re going to offer,” the 6-foot-1, 190-pounder said. “He said they’re looking for two key receivers who can make plays. … I’ll try to fit in as much as I can. I am a playmaker.” Mitchell said East Carolina wants him to visit for a game and tour the facilities. That visit hasn’t been set up yet. Mitchell also picked up recent offers from Furman and Georgia Southern, adding to his list that includes Western Carolina, which has offered three other SWD players, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Alabama-Birmingham, Middle Tennessee and Akron.

Injured SW DeKalb RB Michael Johnson aching for playoff return

Southwest DeKalb running back Michael Johnson should get the cast off his broken left leg sometime next week, and he’s still hoping to get back on the field should the Panthers continue advancing in the Class AAAA playoffs. In the meantime, he’ is Southwest’s emotional leader — as well being in charge of making sure players stay where they need to be on the sideline. “Yeah, I’m the get-back guy,” he said. “I’m trying to help any way I can. I’m just happy the team’s doing well.” Southwest beat Villa Rica 27-7 in the first round of the playoffs. Johnson expects to be fitted for a walking boot next week and wear that for a few days before trying to rehab enough to get back on the field. The earliest that could happen may be the semifinals, if the Panthers get that far. “I’ve got to keep hope alive,” he said as far as returning to action is concerned. “Especially since it’s my senior year.” On the recruiting front, Johnson talked to Jacksonville State recruiters last week and is expecting to get an offer soon. He has offers from Akron, Eastern Michigan, Western Carolina and South Carolina State. He has made an official visit to Eastern Michigan and an unofficial visit to see South Carolina State play a few weeks ago.

Tucker LB Tevin Holliman gets Georgia State offer

The new football program at Georgia State is interested in Tucker linebacker Tevin Holliman. The new program offered Holliman, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior, last Friday before Tucker beat Whitewater 33-7 in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs. Although he prefers attending college out of town, he said it would be OK to play college football near where he grew up. He’s still leaning toward other programs that have been recruiting him hard for months. “That’s cool to me that they offered,” Holliman said. “It’s whatever. I’m not discriminating against anyone. I’m open to every one.” Holliman also has offers from Western Kentucky, Iowa State, Central Florida, Akron, Buffalo, Ohio, South Alabama and Eastern Michigan. Western Kentucky, Iowa State and Central Florida are the leaders, although he hasn’t taken an official visit. Next up may be a visit to Western Kentucky on Nov. 22.

Southwest DeKalb WR Mitchell picks up two new offers

A tough Friday night kept Southwest DeKalb wide receiver Jacoby Mitchell from taking a scheduled visit to Middle Tennessee State last weekend. Mitchell hurt an ankle in Friday’s 17-6 win over Stone Mountain and decided not to attend Middle Tennessee’s Homecoming game on Saturday, a 24-21 win over Louisiana-Monroe. “But now I’m good,” Mitchell wrote in an email on Monday. The senior picked up two more offers last week, he said, from Georgia Southern and Furman. He also has offers to Alabama-Birmingham, Western Carolina, Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan, Middle Tennessee and Akron.