An anonymous source before the draft accused Mitchell of “having really shitty character reports coming out of Georgia and Texas.”
When former Texas Longhorns wide receiver Adonai Mitchell dropped out of the first round and into the middle of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft, it came on the heels of a pre-draft report that criticized his character.
“You’re going to have to assign somebody to be next to him for his first few years because his issues are all about his diabetes and his blood sugar,” said an anonymous scout. “When his blood sugar’s off, he’s rude, he’s abrasive, he doesn’t pay attention in meetings. It’s why you get really, really shitty character reports coming out of Georgia and Texas.”
“Before you even get to the diabetic part, he’s kind of going to do it his way. He’s a little bit of a wild horse. You’ve got to see if you can harness him in. Then, once you do that, he doesn’t address the diabetic stuff in a mature way. He’s very much a boom-or-bust type guy.”
In addressing the media following the Indianapolis Colts selecting Mitchell with the No. 52 pick, general manager Chris Ballard went on an expletive-laced tirade in support of his new draft pick.
Chris Ballard is going to bat for Ad Mitchell and he’s pissed about all of the reports of Mitchell’s off the field concerns.
The #Colts GM is on one and I’m here for it. pic.twitter.com/yBu8wGWO83
— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) April 27, 2024
“I read some of the bullshit that was said on TV,” Ballard said. “Just the typical fucking, excuse my language, our typical league. Unnamed sources, bad interview, that’s such bullshit. I mean, it fucking is. It’s bullshit. Like, put your name on it. I’m tired of — we tear these young men down — these are 21, 22-year-old men, and if people out there can tell me they’re perfect in their lives… it’s crap. This is a good kid and for those reports to come out… I said it last year, it’s bullshit. I’m sorry, I apologize for the language. I don’t, but I do.”
When the report first surfaced, Mitchell’s teammates came out in support of him after the Georgia transfer spent one year at Texas in order to be closer to his young daughter.
He is a great father and a great teammate. https://t.co/FF3PAsIeXn
— DAVO (@d_aavviidd) April 17, 2024
“The Colts got a great one in AD, their fans will absolutely love him as a player and person, too. He’ll be a great fit there and I’m looking forward to watching him do great things in the NFL,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said in a statement released by the school.
Like any good competitor, Mitchell is using the pre-draft report and his slide in the draft as motivation.
“Right now, the only thing I’m feeling is, I’m just kind of pissed,” Mitchell said after his selection. “I’m just excited to work, excited to get there, be the best teammate I can be, and ultimately the best person I can be for the team. It’s been a long time coming.”