College Football

Arkansas football: QB Brandon Mitchell among 4 transferring players

Brandon Mitchell never fit in at quarterback at Arkansas, with stints at wide receiver and on the basketball team. He'll try to catch on somewhere else his senior season, transferring with immediate eligibility after losing a position battle in spring ball.

By Rodger Sherman May 6, 2013, 2:47pm EDT

Brandon Mitchell, a quarterback known for his athleticism and versatility, will transfer from Arkansas after losing a position battle in spring camp. Since he'll graduate this summer, he'll be able to play this fall for another school without sitting out a season.

Mitchell, who was set to be a senior, was spotted up against rising sophomore Brandon Allen in spring camp for the job of replacing Tyler Wilson as the Razorbacks' starter. Mitchell had been Wilson's primary backup in 2011, but Allen took over the role in 2012, with Mitchell spending most of his time as a wide receiver. Mitchell wasn't interested in another spin as a pass-catcher, doubling down on his efforts to be the team's No. 1 QB.

It didn't pay off. Allen looked sharper at the spring game with Mitchell tossing a pick, and was named the team's top option at quarterback shortly thereafter.

And thus, Mitchell will begin searching for a new team. He leaves Arkansas having attempted only 43 passes in three seasons, going just 2-for-8 this past season. (One of the completions was a 26-yard touchdown on a trick play against Auburn, highlighted in the Arkansas Expats post about his transfer.) The 6'4 speedster also had 17 catches for 272 yards, all as a junior, and played in 13 games across two seasons for Arkansas' basketball team. (He had originally committed to LSU to play basketball.) A team looking for a dual-threat QB right away could use Mitchell's dynamic athleticism.

Also transferring is Keante Minor, a wide receiver whose main contributions at Arkansas were on special teams, running back punts and kicks. Sophomore safety Defonta Lowe and senior defensive end Austin Flynn are also transferring, but that was known ahead of time.