NCAA Football: Quarterback Brandon Mitchell amongst several players to transfer from Arkansas

Sep 15, 2012; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Mitchell (17) looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide last season in the fourth quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

UPDATE: 5/20/13

According to ESPN’s Joe Schad, Brandon Mitchell will enroll at NC State.

“I like the culture, coaches, expectations within the program starting all the way at the top, and most importantly chemistry,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell will be able to play immediately and is expected to compete for a starting position.

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Fayetteville, Ark. – During the past week, Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema has been conducting individual player interviews with each of his athletes to discuss their future on and off the field. The result of one of those meetings in particular could potentially be devastating to the Hogs next season.

Brandon Mitchell, the 6’4” dual-threat quarterback out of Amite, LA., was expected to be a substantial contributor for the Razorbacks in this upcoming season. Although redshirt sophomore Brandon Allen was named the starting quarterback for the spring game, Hog fans knew nothing was set in stone due to Mitchell’s elite athleticism and experience.

Apparently Mitchell felt otherwise. At the conclusion of his meeting with Bielema, Mitchell decided he was going to graduate from Arkansas this summer, then transfer to another school to play his final year of college football.

While Mitchell still hasn’t made a decision as to where he will transfer, he does know that he will be able to play immediately.

Early rumors say that Mitchell is likely to end up at UAB, Idaho, or Western Kentucky. These are all obvious choices, as each are coached by a former Arkansas offensive coach.

Former offensive coordinator Garrick McGee is now the head coach at UAB. Last year’s offensive coordinator Paul Petrino is now the head coach at Idaho. Bobby Petrino, the man who recruited Mitchell to come to Arkansas in the first place, is now the new head coach at Western Kentucky.

According to ESPN’s Joe Schad, Mitchell is also considering South Florida, NC State, Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State.

Whichever school Mitchell decides to play for next season is getting an exceptionally talented player. With senior quarterback Tyler Wilson running the show last season, the Arkansas coaching staff moved Mitchell to receiver just so they could have his play-making abilities on the field. He caught 17 passes for 272 yards in his first season to ever play the position.

Throughout his career at Arkansas, Mitchell appeared in 21 games with 3 starts. Overall, he is 25-43 passing for 332 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 23 times for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

Like Mitchell, Austin Flynn, Defonta Lowe and Keante Minor are also transferring. Flynn and Lowe are expected to be leaving due to academic reasons and trouble off the field, while Minor is leaving due to his placement on the depth-chart at receiver.

Mitchell’s departure leaves a huge question mark going forward: Who will be the Razorbacks’ backup quarterback?