2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Landin Mitchell, OL, Wayne State University

• Name: Landin Mitchell
• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 305 lbs
• Position: OL
• College: Wayne State University
• Twitter: @mitchell_landin

What is your major/minor? During your collegiate experience, have you participated in any other activities or campus organizations other than football?

My major is Kinesiology with a focus in Exercise and Sports Science. We do a lot of community service in the offseason. One of our biggest community service jobs we do is we get a group of players to come to the Salvation Army in Detroit, and we make over 10,000 sandwiches. We also do a couple more food drives and clothing drives. We spend a lot of time trying to better the Detroit community; we are usually in the top ten in the country for community service hours as a whole athletic department. 

What kind of role do you see yourself in on the team? What scheme and/or position suits your skill set?

My role on the team is being a leader. Every team I have been on I have shown that I lead by example by always doing the little things right. Not just on the offensive line but the whole team. People look at me differently now because I am a senior and a leader on the team. They look up to me because of my toughness, hard work, and the attention to detail I display on the field and the classroom. Our offensive line has a great culture thanks to the coach and past seniors. As a leader, I plan on spreading that culture to the rest of the team. I don’t have a particular scheme I think suits me best, I think I can adapt and thrive in multiple different schemes. I really enjoy power and counter plays but I also like getting to move people vertically off the ball during inside zone. The positions that fit my skill set are guard and tackle. I believe I have the athletic ability to move around to multiple positions.   

Who is the best player you have ever played against in college?

Zach Sieler from Ferris State. He was very athletic for his size, very strong, and explosive. He eventually went on to get drafted the year after we played them. 

Throughout your career, which one of your teammates has impressed you the most?

Deontae Nicholas because of the way he would lead the team and the way he carried himself on and off the field. He would do anything to better himself or anyone around him in athletics, academics, financially, and spiritually. Not to mention all the injuries he has battled through and during all the injuries the level of positivity he brought to the facility everyday was amazing.

Describe a time in your life when you were able to overcome a struggle.

My first fall camp at Davenport University I came into camp as a TE and that’s all I knew. The first day, they made me switch positions to OL, and that was my first time being away from home, having to deal with the frustrations of learning a new position and trying to succeed while being extremely underweight for the position. After a couple weeks go by, then they switch me to DL for a day to see if I would be good there. Let’s just say I didn’t even make it a full practice on the defensive side of the ball. But after I was solidified as an OL, I began to understand it, started to gain weight and I eventually got really good at it.

If you didn’t play football, what other sport would you play?

I would definitely play baseball. I played it my whole life and senior year in high school I got first team all-state and I still hold multiple school records. I’m also tied second in the all-time state baseball records for home runs in a game with 3. 

What is something that you are most proud of? What would you say is your biggest achievement?

I’m most proud of how far I have come since my freshman year. There have been a lot of twists and turns in my collegiate career but I am so proud of what school I’m at, the people I have met, and everything that i’ve accomplished on and off the field. My biggest achievement is being first team all GLIAC. I say it’s my biggest achievement because I received it after sitting out a year as a transfer, and by the time I played, it had been two seasons since my last snap. I had worked so hard during those two years to get where I am now, and I was so excited when I was able to receive that award. 

Check out NFL Draft Prospect 2021 Small School Rankings

Describe one of the most memorable plays of your collegiate career.

It was the 2019 Ashland game. We were in double overtime, and we had just blocked a PAT. Our first play on offense was a play action pass. Ashland brought a blitz with 7 people, and we only had 6 people in on the protection. We held them off just long enough for our QB to connect with our WR in the back of the endzone. We went on to make the PAT and win the game in double overtime. 

Do you have a favorite athlete or professional team? Is there a player that you model your game after?

My favorite athlete of all time is Bo Jackson. Someone that I model my game after is Taylor Lewan., He’s got that nasty mindset, and he’s very athletic for how big he is. 

Who is your favorite music artist? What gets you pumped before a game?

I’m a big country music fan. My favorite artist is Justin Moore. For games I like to listen to Metallica and Five Finger Death Punch to get me pumped up. 

What is your favorite comfort food?

Ribs and mac n’ cheese 

Do you have a favorite movie or actor?

Favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption. I don’t really have a favorite actor. 

What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? Any secret talents?

I really like cooking, finding different recipes and experimenting with different foods. I also like fishing and being outdoors. 

Who or what motivates you the most?

I have a lot of self motivation because I want to be the best in everything I do. If I’m not the best, then I’m going to do everything possible to try to be the best whether it’s academics, athletics, or being a better brother, boyfriend, or son. My teammates are a big motivator for me as well because that’s who I’m playing alongside. We go through battle together; we’re a brotherhood. We have a lot of friendly competitions in the weight room and on the field, stuff like who can squat the most, or who can get the most pancake blocks, or who gets a higher grade in the next game. That is some of the competition we like to have as teammates that I think really helps everyone stay motivated.