Mitchell becomes the first MAC first round pick since Corey Davis in 2017.
For the first time since 2017, the Mid-American Conference is represented in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The seven-year wait ended at pick No. 22 when Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles. He is the first cornerback off the board and the highest selected MAC player since Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis went fifth overall to the Tennessee Titans in 2017. Mitchell becomes the second first round round pick in Toledo history, joining defensive end Dan Williams, who was drafted 11th overall by the Denver Broncos in 1993.
Mitchell’s selection increases Toledo’s streak of producing a defensive player in the NFL Draft to three seasons. He is the fourth Toledo defensive back to play under head coach Jason Candle and warrant a selection, joining the likes of Ka’dar Hollman (2019 sixth round) and former teammates Tycen Anderson (2022 fifth round) and Samuel Womack (2022 fifth round).
Mitchell spent four seasons at Toledo from 2020-23. He first assumed a starting cornerback role in the 2021 season alongside San Francisco 49ers’ 2022 fifth round pick Samuel Womack, collecting 34 tackles and eight pass breakups for the Rockets. In 2022, Mitchell began to appear on the national radar. On Oct. 8 that season, the cornerback won Walter Camp National Player of the Week and Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honors for a ridiculous 4-interception performance in a 52-32 win over Northern Illinois. Mitchell fell one interception short of the FBS record and returned two of those four interceptions for touchdowns in the shootout victory.
Mitchell finished the 2022 season with five interceptions and 19 pass breakups — ranking second in the FBS in the category. Those supreme statistics landed Mitchell First Team All-MAC and AP Third Team All-American honors in a season where the cornerback guided Toledo to its first MAC title in five years.
It was more of the same in 2023, as Mitchell once again ranked second in the FBS in pass breakups with 18 on the year. Although he only recorded one interception, his coverage skills were revered nationwide, and he earned All-American honors for the second-straight season, jumping from the AP Third Team to the AP Second Team. Mitchell finished his esteemed college career with six interceptions and 45 pass breakups — ranking third among all FBS players since 2005 in the latter category.
The 6’0”, 195 pound cornerback was one of two MAC players invited to the Senior Bowl, where he starred in the 1-on-1 reps despite not partaking in the main event. He also shined at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he posted a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, ranking third among all players (trailing Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy and Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins).
Mitchell joins an Eagles franchise two seasons removed from a Super Bowl appearance. He joins a cornerback room headlined by six-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay, as well as James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, and Kelee Ringo. He is the first Toledo player drafted by the Eagles since safety Clarence Love in 1998.