Joe Gaiter: What does football mean to you?
Jalen Mitchell: Football means a lot to me. Even though it being the second sport that I fell in love with it has taught me many life lessons, and as well has made me a better man.
Joe Gaiter: Where did you grow up and tell us about your childhood?
Jalen Mitchell: I grew up on the south side of Jacksonville, Florida about 4 hours away from Albany. My childhood was most filled with sports and school. I became very competitive at a early age once I picked up a basketball at 3. That was my first love. I began playing AAU on a high level and was actually ranked in the state of Florida at 7 years old. Around that time I also began playing football. It wasn’t the best starting out but my second year of Pop Warner I knew I was property good after scoring 22 touchdowns. From there until graduation, football and basketball really consumed my life. I was always on the roads on weekends for camps, 7v7, and college visits really until I graduated high school.
Joe Gaiter: When did you first fall in love with football?
Jalen Mitchell: I first fell in love with football at age 8. Like I said after scoring 22 touchdowns my second year of playing I knew football had a place in my heart.
Joe Gaiter: What are your fondest memories about playing at Fletcher High School?
Jalen Mitchell: My senior year at Fletcher I lead the state of Florida in interceptions with 11 and was also able to take my school to the state playoffs for the first time since 2015. They whole year was pretty special to me and showed me I could play football at a high level.
Joe Gaiter: What made you choose Albany State University?
Jalen Mitchell: I picked Albany state because during recruiting they really showed interest in me. The coaching staff came and saw me many times before they even offered me so it showed me that I was a priority to them during recruitment . That really won me over and showed me that the staff was a family and would help me grow as a man and football player.
Joe Gaiter: ASU was 7-3 this season. Although that is considered a great season, what could your team do to get better?
Jalen Mitchell: I feel like 7-3 at Albany State University is not a good season. Our program is held to a championship standard and anything lower than that is unacceptable. But to get better we just need to put the past behind us and focus on becoming a new team and family that’s ready to get another ring.
Joe Gaiter: How have you faced adversity this year on and off the field?
Jalen Mitchell: Well our coaching change is really the adversity I’m going through at the moment and as well has coming off a injury from last season. Trying to perfect my game to be able to impress and win over the new staff is just something I’m focusing on and also getting my body healthy from my season ending pec surgery early last season.
Joe Gaiter: What are some of your game day rituals?
Jalen Mitchell: Some of my game day ritual are watching extra film on the opponent just the get the game plan down. I then call my mom before every game and we pray together, but other than that I’m headphones on and locked in.
Joe Gaiter: How would you describe your style of play as a Defensive back?
Jalen Mitchell: My style of play as a DB would be physical and smart. I consider my self as a for sure tackler who knows the game and is in the right place and the right times in order to make plays. I’m also a very good post safety with great ball skills.
Joe Gaiter: What are some things that you have learned from your former Head Coach Gabe Giardina?
Jalen Mitchell: Coach G taught me A lot about being a man. I feel like from my freshman year he matured me pretty quickly and showed me how to handle business as a man. Control what you can control was a saying I took from him which plays a big part in my life by just me doing what I know I can do and let Jesus Christ handle the rest.
Joe Gaiter: What are your thoughts on Head Coach Gray?
Jalen Mitchell: Coach Gray is going to great things for ASU. With me and him being from the same hometown we been on the same page since he arrived and he already has done things that we been needing for some time as a football program. He’s having a immediate impact on the team and the 2023 season is going to be one for the books.
Joe Gaiter: How have you overcome adversity this season?
Jalen Mitchell: Like I said earlier my injury last season has really been the biggest adversity for me. After being hurt of the very first play of the 2022 season it really broke me down on the inside. I felt as if that season was going to be my breakout but God had other plans for me, I feel like he showed me that I can’t take football for granted and giving me that advertising made me take a step back and reevaluate my love for the game.
Joe Gaiter: What is your motivation on the field?
Jalen Mitchell: Myself. Everyday I try to become a better version of my self on and off the field. Just trying to grow as a football player because your game always has to go to another level you can’t stay the same. So I motivate my self a lot to get 1% better everyday.
Joe Gaiter: What is your untold story?
Jalen Mitchell: A lot of people don’t know that amount of surgeries and injuries I’ve had through my career. I actually been able to keep them below the radar for along time but I’ve actually had two ACL repairs and recently by pectoral surgery. Each time I was ready to give up on the game because for the most part I’m healthy for most of the year. But those lessons as I like to call them really molded me as a man. It’s thought me some things about my self and showed me how strong I really am to fight through those injuries.
Joe Gaiter: What game are you most looking forward to next season?
Jalen Mitchell: All of them. After missing last season I’m ready to get back to the game and just compete. No matter the outcomes I’m just ready to get back to the game of football.
Joe Gaiter: What are your strengths and things you can improve on on the field?
Jalen Mitchell: My strengths on the field are being smart, physical, reading plays and my ball skills once the quarterback puts it in the air. Something I can improve on is my speed and controlling my emotions on the field.
Joe Gaiter: What is your mental health?
Jalen Mitchell: My mental health is pretty good. I’m a pretty positive person so I try to get my mental right at all times and think about the good things in life.
Joe Gaiter: What are some of your biggest accomplishments?
Jalen Mitchell: Some of my biggest accomplishments consist of; winning the SIAC in 2021 and making the D2 playoffs, 2022 HBCU Red Zone Preseason All-American, first team all state 7A in Florida, Jacksonville Defensive player of year 2019.
Joe Gaiter: What is your major and what do you plan to do with it?
Jalen Mitchell: My major is business management and I plan to become a commercial real estate agent as well as sports marketing consultant.
Joe Gaiter: What do you want your legacy to be?
Jalen Mitchell: I want my legacy to be my personality. How I treated people and if I was able to impact peoples lives positively on and off the field.
Joe Gaiter: Who are some athletes we should look out for next season?
Jalen Mitchell: Some athletes you should look out for this season are:
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Ahman Ross safety transfer from FAU
Khyjuan Herndon running back transfer from Colorado State
