BYU football offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell’s attitude, determination led to good showing
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- BYU offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell prepares to snap the ball during the Big 12 game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.
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- BYU offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell (63) looks down after making a block during the Big 12 game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.
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- BYU offensive lineman Bruce Mitchell prepares to snap the ball during the Big 12 game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.
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- BYU offensive linemen block during the Big 12 game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024.
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- BYU sophomore Bruce Mitchell tries to deflect a pass during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
BYU offensive line coach TJ Woods admitted after practice on Tuesday that that there were plenty of times in his playing career that he got nervous.
So when he was watching sophomore Bruce Mitchell get ready for his first start at center against Arizona last week, he found Mitchell’s approach “fascinating” and “inspiring.”
“Getting nervous is a part of the deal and I’m sure deep down there is some of that for Bruce, but he never let anyone sense that,” Woods said. “I think he’s got extreme confidence in himself and he trusts his preparation.”
BYU junior quarterback Jake Retzlaff said after the Cougars beat the Wildcats that Mitchell didn’t look nervous or tense at all, as evidenced by the fact that he “was making jokes more than I was tonight on the sideline, which is saying something.”
Mitchell was part of an excellent overall showing for the BYU offensive line, surrendering no sacks and just three QB hurries while paving the way for the Cougars to gain 147 yards rushing.
Those are telling numbers for anyone, but Mitchell didn’t start out as an offensive lineman when he got to BYU from South Summit High Schoo. As recently as earlier this year, Mitchell was on the defensive side.
“Bruce was playing for us last year on the defensive line, but I really felt strongly that he’d be a better offensive lineman,” Cougar defensive coordinator Jay Hill said. “I’m glad to see him get his opportunity, because he’s a great kid. He’s a phenomenal worker, he’s tough, and I know Coach wood loves him. He just played lights out. Kudos to Bruce for being ready to go.”
Hill has had a number of guys make that switch and go on to have great successful, including a few who have made it to the NFL. He said the conversations began because of the attributes Mitchell had, as well as the prospect of better opportunities on the other side.
“He’s strong, he plays with leverage and he can get his pads down,” Hill said. “He’s intelligent, which offensive linemen have to be. He had the attributes that I thought would correlate well to that side of the ball.”
Woods said Mitchell never showed any hesitation about switching to offense.
“He was all in from the jump and it’s a testament to Bruce,” Woods said. “He’s a selfless guy, a team-first guy. He’ll do whatever anyone asks him to do for the team. He never said a word when he wasn’t getting what he wanted. He just kept working and kept developing. It’s pretty phenomenal what he’s been able to do.”
Woods said that BYU senior offensive lineman Connor Pay spent a lot of time with Mitchell as he was learning the ropes of the new position and, despite being unable to play due to injury, is still there as a mentor figure.
“I think Connor is doing a heck of a job with him right now,” Woods said. “We call him Coach Pay because he’s doing a heck of a job putting Bruce under his wing and helping him out.”
Mitchell showed tremendous improvement during the past few months, so much so that Woods said he wasn’t apprehensive at all about how the sophomore would do.
“There’s no moment too big for Bruce,” Woods said. “He’s pretty even keel. He acts medium most the time and I think that obviously helps him out in most settings. He was just ready to execute and go out there and play a good game.”
Mitchell’s solid effort is just the latest example of a group of offensive linemen who have been ready to take advantage of their opportunities. Guys like sophomore Sonny Makasini and junior Austin Leausa have also stepped into starting roles at times in 2024 and the group has continued to perform well.
“When you prepare to win, you expect to win and you go out there with that expectation,” Woods said. “Practice performance is game reality. If you can do it out here on the practice field, then we all fully expect you to be able to do it out on the game field. I think that’s what you have seen.”
