Elijah Mitchell

Golden Nuggets

• Led his team to a win in the final game of the 2020 season, and dedicated the feat to the late Coach Looney, their offensive line coach who died of a heart attack during an August team workout shortly before the start of preseason camp. On what would have been coach Looney's 32nd birthday, Mitchell and the offense ran the ball for 265 rushing yards to cement the victory. "It was very important (to end the season with a win), man," said Mitchell. "We've been through so much with coach Looney, with just everything going on," Mitchell said, "and we just put it in our minds that we just wanted this year to be great, no matter what the circumstances."
• Prides himself on being known as a tough, hardworking run- ning back and earned that reputation amongst his teammates and coaches at Louisiana. "Those moments make you feel pretty good," Mitchell said. "It means that the coaches trust you with the ball when it is crunch time. It makes you feel like you are a playmaker and someone the team can count on when things get tough

Golden Nuggets

• Led his team to a win in the final game of the 2020 season, and dedicated the feat to the late Coach Looney, their offensive line coach who died of a heart attack during an August team workout shortly before the start of preseason camp. On what would have been coach Looney's 32nd birthday, Mitchell and the offense ran the ball for 265 rushing yards to cement the victory. "It was very important (to end the season with a win), man," said Mitchell. "We've been through so much with coach Looney, with just everything going on," Mitchell said, "and we just put it in our minds that we just wanted this year to be great, no matter what the circumstances."
• Prides himself on being known as a tough, hardworking run- ning back and earned that reputation amongst his teammates and coaches at Louisiana. "Those moments make you feel pretty good," Mitchell said. "It means that the coaches trust you with the ball when it is crunch time. It makes you feel like you are a playmaker and someone the team can count on when things get tough

Goldmine

• Mitchell has always paired his love for football with his love for those around him on and off the field. In 2020, Mitchell led his team to a win in Lousiana's final game, and dedicated the feat to the late Coach Looney, the team's offensive line coach who died of a heart attack during an August team workout shortly before the start of preseason camp. On what would have been coach Loo- ney's 32nd birthday, Mitchell and the offense ran the ball for 265 rushing yards to cement the victory. "It was very important (to end the season with a win), man," said Mitchell. "We've been through so much with coach Looney, with just everything going on," Mitch- ell said, "and we just put it in our minds that we just wanted this year to be great, no matter what the circumstances."
• In November of 2016, when Mitchell and Erath HS chased its first playoff win in 12 years. Former Bobcat Ross Granger neared the end of a lengthy battle with brain cancer. Realizing that his child- hood friend might not have much more time, Mitchell — then a senior — played inspired. Early in the second half, Ross' Father, Nathan informed the team that Ross had died. Mitchell continued to run with a passion and ended the evening with 331 rushing yards in a blowout victory. After the final whistle sounded, Mitchell embraced his QB, Ross' little brother, Mason. Mitchell continues to honor Ross' legacy. In the 49ers win in the 2021 NFC Divisional Round at GB, Mitchell sported wristbands that proud displayed "Team Ross".
• As a senior at Erath (LA) HS, Mitchell went out of his way to create some special memories for his classmate, Eddie Armond. Armond, who was born with down syndrome, attended every Erath football game. Mitchell showed his appreciation by ensuring Armond got his own opportunity to play. In the 2nd qtr. of a game against ri- val Patterson (LA) HS, Armond joined the offense at the Patterson 20-yd. line, where Erath was in position to score. Mitchell showed him where to stand and got down in a three point stance in front of Armond as his lead blocker. Erath quarterback, Mason Granger, handed Armond the ball and he took off running up the middle. Armond scored and everyone, including the opposing players, congratulated him for the TD. The play even earned Armond the Gulf Coast Bank/Abbeville Meridional Co-Offensive Player of the Week. "Eddie was beyond ecstatic," said his mother, Dawn Ar- mond. "He called himself the Erath king. Elijah was his best friend. When we were on the sidelines and Elijah made a play, he'd look for Eddie and say, `Eddie, did you see that?,' And he would explain the play to Eddie. He would include him in the game to make sure he knew what was going on. I enjoyed that. When Elijah sat down, Eddie would sit with him. They just kind of blended."

College

• Appeared in 42 games (25 starts) in 4 years (2017-20) at Louisiana and recorded 527 carries for 3,267 yds. and 41 TDs to go along with 49 recepts. for 597 yds. and 5 TDs. As a senior in 2020, appeared in 10 games (9 starts) and recorded 141 carries for 878 yds. and 8 TDs and 1 recept. for 153 yds. and earned First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors. Appeared in all 14 games 3 starts) as a junior in 2019 and registered 198 rushes for a career-high 1,147 yds. and 16 TDs to go along with 10 recepts. for 70 yds. and 1 TD and was named First-Team All-Louisiana. Started all 13 games as a sophomore in 2018 and recorded 985 rushing yds. on 146 carries and 13 TDs and 20 recepts. for 349 yds. and 3 TDs. As a freshman in 2017, appeared in 5 games and rushed 42 times for 257 yds. and 4 TDs and added 3 recepts. for 25 yds. and 1 TD through the air.