Adonai Mitchell's transfer to Texas was about something truly bigger than football

The college football landscape has changed a lot with the introduction of Name Image and Likeness, better known as NIL. The transfer portal has become an NIL hotbed that takes center stage for the majority of college prospects as they meet with other schools. However, for Adonai Mitchell, his transfer to Texas from Georiga was about something […]

Destin Adams NFL News Writer
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Texas Longhorns wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) celebrates a touchdown against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 9, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK

The college football landscape has changed a lot with the introduction of Name Image and Likeness, better known as NIL. 

The transfer portal has become an NIL hotbed that takes center stage for the majority of college prospects as they meet with other schools. 

However, for Adonai Mitchell, his transfer to Texas from Georiga was about something much larger than NIL and even larger than football. 


AD Mitchell's transfer to Texas

When asked, Mitchell shared his reason for transferring to Texas. While he had a lot to say, the primary reason was clear: his daughter. 

My daughter, and wanting to go back home to be with her, that was really the main thing. I never really got to hug my daughter, and tell her I love her to her face. Everything had to be over the phone, we even blew kisses through the phone. And I knew transfering to Texas would change all of that. 

– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell 

He also shared that he didn't take his decision of where to go to school lightly because he knew soon, others would be deciding where he would play in the NFL Draft, which would lead to him being selected by the Indianapolis Colts. But his transfer was something he fully had the final say on. 

I knew it was my last opportunity that I could choose where I was going to go. Knowing that for my rookie year and the next three years, someone was going to pick me.

– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell 

At the end of the day, Mitchell's desire to be closer to his daughter and others in his family was the driving force behind his transfer to Texas. And he is thankful for that year closer to home before being drafted by the Colts. 

To be closer to not only my daughter but my mom and my dad are getting older as well. It was mostly the off the field things that I wanted to accomplish than on the field. 

– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell 

He understood his place on that Georiga team that won back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. He knew Georiga would compete for a national championship with or without him after having to watch from the sideline for most of the 2022 season after suffering an injury. But he also knew he would be a great player wherever he played due to the confidence and belief he had in himself and the work he puts in. 

I knew being at Georgia, they were going to win with or without me, I knew that for sure. I also knew I was going to be who I'm going to be regardless due to the work I put in and the determination I've had since I was seven years old towards accomplishing my dreams of playing football. 

– Colts WR Adonai Mitchell