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Maurice Mitchell

Nickname: Big Mo
Birthday: 11-8-80
High School: Dougherty
HS Mascot: Trojans
HS Coach: John Reynolds
HS Position: OT, DT
HS Number: 76
Official Visits: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, MTSU
Second Choice: Georgia
Host During Alabama Visit: Dennis Alexander
Committed: 2-1-2000

Mitchell has been compared to Tide offensive tackle Dante Ellington. He has all the attributes of an excellent offensive lineman -- long arms, quick feet and great speed.

This past season Mitchell had 42 pancake blocks and graded 82 percent from his offensive tackle position. On defense he had 47 tackles, six sacks and four pass break-ups. He also caused three fumbles and recovered three.

As a junior, he helped his team win the Class AAA state championship by grading out at 77 percent on his blocking assignments and making 87 tackles.

Maurice was a SuperPrep All-American. He was named the Souheast's No. 3 offensive line prospect by PrepStar.

What Experts Say about Maurice Mitchell

Bill Buchalter: "He has great size and athleticism. Maurice will be playing at the next level."

Allen Wallace: "A prototype left tackle from a disciplined high school program. Very similar to Bama signee from last year, Dante Ellington."

Tom Lemming: "One of the nation's top offensive line prospects."

Forrest Davis: "Considered among the top-ten linemen in the South. A Forrest Davis Recruiting Annual 2nd-Team All-South pick."

Q&A with Maurice Mitchell

TI: In the late stages of recruiting it was reported that you were privately committed to Auburn. Talk about that.

MM: Before I visited Alabama [1/14] I thought I was going to Auburn. The week before I went to visit Alabama, I told the Auburn coaches that I was committed to them. But that was before I even knew what Alabama was all about. After I took the Alabama visit and saw the tradition, the players and everything about Alabama, I knew that was the place for me. Alabama is A-1 in everything.

TI: On the final weekend of recruiting you took an official visit to Auburn. Were you confused after that visit?

MM: No, not really. The visit to Auburn didn't even compare to Alabama. The Auburn people are very nice. I liked them a lot. But there was no way I was changing from Alabama. If I didn't go to Alabama, I would've gone to Georgia. The only problem with Georgia was that they wanted me to wait until April to sign to see if I made my grades. I wanted to sign on signing day.

TI: Chris James told us that you wore an Auburn cap to school on signing day.

MM: [Laughing] Yeah, I was trying to throw everyone off guard. Everybody thought I was going to Georgia. Then when I showed up with an Auburn cap on, everybody was like, 'Wow, Big Mo is going to Auburn.' Then when we went to the auditorium to sign and coach announced that I was going to Alabama, they were shocked. I wanted to keep everybody confused. They were surprised.

TI: Why did you choose Alabama?

MM: I got along with all the players. I became good friends with Shaun Alexander, Kenny Smith and Kenny King. I talked to them quite a bit and knew that they were the kind of teammates I wanted to be around. Plus, I wanted to go to a place that has stiffer competition. I want to prove that I can compete and Alabama has better competition.

TI: Did the success of Chris Samuels or of Dante Ellington, who started every game as a freshman last season, influence your decision?

MM: Not really. But it showed me that at Alabama they play the best players regardless of class. If I go in there and show them I'm ready, then I'll be on the field from day one. I like that.

TI: How are your grades coming?

MM: I'm working hard to get eligible. I'm taking night classes and studying a lot for the test. My test score is getting better. I'll be there ready to play against UCLA.

TI: Would it be unbelievable to start that first game against UCLA?

MM: Would it ever. Just warming up for the game would blow my mind. I'm looking forward to it.

TI: Would you be nervous?

MM: I might be nervous on the first play, but after that it would be all business.

TI: Do you daydream about playing for Alabama?

MM: All the time. Everyday I think about lining up in the shotgun, the center snapping the ball to Zow, and me going head to head with a defensive end.

TI: Talk about your strengths and weaknesses.

MM: I want to improve my foot work some. I've got good feet, but I want to get them quicker. And I need to get stronger in the legs. My upper body is already there. I just need to add some strength in my lower body to become a more complete player.

My strength is run blocking. I can overpower other guys. I don't know if I can do it the way I did in high school, but if I work and play hard everyday, I think I can improve and do some of the same things I did in high school. I know one thing about the SEC, it's the best competition in the country. Facing that competition every week will make me better.

TI: Some people think that you have the ability to start from day one. Some even say you're one of those rare players that could play for three years and then move on to the NFL.

MM: I never think about the NFL -- that will come in time. Right now I'm only thinking about helping Alabama get the program back to where it's supposed to be. In three years, if I'm good enough, I might think about it. But if Alabama tells me that they need me to stick around for four years to help the team, then I'll come back. My first goal is to help Alabama.

TI: Do you have a favorite play from your high school career?

MM: Yeah, it's a play that reminds me of something Chris Samuels did against Florida. There was a play in the first Florida game where Chris pancaked the defensive end and then ran downfield and pancaked the linebacker. I did the same thing against Colquitt County this year.

TI: Any chance that it was Nate French [Auburn signee] that you pancaked?

MM: I wish it had been. I was hoping to go against Nate, but he didn't play on my side. I might get a chance later though.

TI: How does it feel to be a part of a national top-five recruiting class?

MM: It feels great to be a part of the best. You always believe that you're the best. Coming in with a class like this makes you even more confident. This is the class that will put Alabama football over the top.

TI: Are you friends with any fellow recruit other than Chris James?

MM: I talk to Justin Smiley a lot. He's a good kid. He's like me because he thinks he's going to be in the game against UCLA.

TI: In our interview with Justin, he told us that you're very confident. He said that he warned you that the returning players might bring both of you down to earth in the first practice.

MM: I don't know about that. I've got something special in store for them when I get there. I can't say what it is, but I've been working on some stuff with a former pro player. I will be ready when I get there.

Note: Mitchell has been selected to play in the Georgia-Florida HS All-Star Game. He will report to Tuscaloosa in early August.