Mitchell backs out of verbal to FSU, switches commitment to USF

Posted Jan 29, 2010 by Bill Ward

Updated Jan 29, 2010 at 03:55 PM

Hillsborough senior Terrence Mitchell, one of the nation’s most sought-after defensive backs, has switched his verbal commitment from Florida State University to the University of South Florida, Mitchell told The Tampa Tribune/TBO.com on Friday.

“I just feel more comfortable playing at home and I feel like I can do something special at home, right here in my own backyard,” Mitchell said. “My mind’s made up. I’m a Bull now.”

Although he has always played safety at Hillsborough, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Mitchell is the No. 5-ranked cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com.

On Jan. 14, he said he was making a verbal commitment to FSU. At the time, he said the Seminoles and FSU’s campus in Tallahassee “felt like home” and that he got along with “all the players and coaches.”

Mitchell also said at the time of his comitment to FSU that he wanted to run track for the three-time NCAA champion Seminoles. In addition, he said his decision not to originally commit to USF was swayed partially by the upheaval at the school, including the dismissal of Bulls coach Jim Leavitt.

But that was before the Bulls hired Skip Holtz as their new head coach. Mitchell said he first met Holtz and some of his staff last week at USF. Thursday night, Holtz made a home visit with Mitchell. After thinking it over, Mitchell, a four-year starter at Hillsborough, changed his mind and decided to make the switch to South Florida, where his good friend, cousin and former Hillsborough teammate, Lindsey Lamar, is playing running back.

“When I made my commitment to FSU, coach Holtz wasn’t here,“Mitchel said. “He’s a down-to-earth, a player’s coach. Everything with him is about the players.”