July 18, 2012

Caleb Mitchell on CFPA preseason Watch List of best punt returners in FCS

Tennessee Tech senior Caleb Mitchell is included on the CFPA preseason Watch List of the top special teams players in the country. The third Golden Eagle to earn CFPA preseason recognition, Mitchell is on the list as a punt returner.

CFPA Website

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech senior Caleb Mitchell is included on the College Football Preseason Awards (CFPA)preseason Watch List of the top special teams players in the country. A cornerback from Russellville, Ala., Mitchell is on the list as a punt returner.

He is third Golden Eagle to earn CFPA preseason recognition, joining quarterback Tre Lamb and linebacker/defensive end Marcus Edwards.

A cornerback with a knack for finding the ball, Mitchell is an extremely physical player and a very good tackler with good speed and good hands. Last season, Mitchell was one of 12 Golden Eagles to start all 11 games for Tech on the way to claiming a share of the Ohio Valley Conference title. As a cornerback, he had 18 unassisted tackles and 28 total stops. Had also made two interceptions, one at Eastern Illinois that he returned 28 yards, and one at UT Martin that he returned five yards.

As a punt returner, he returned six kicks for 89 yards, including a 46-yard return against Maryville College.

Throughout the summer the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) has been releasing preseason watch lists for players in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The list highlights players whose performance mertis recognition heading into the 2012 season.

The watch lists will include the following categories: quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, defensive line, linebacker, defensive back, placekicker, punter, all-purpose/kickoff returner and punt returner.

The four lists involving specialist positions have been released and the lists include 12 total players from the Ohio Valley Conference.

The place kicker list included Austin Peay senior Stephen Stansell, Jacksonville State senior James Esco, Tennessee State sophomore Jamin Godfrey and UT Martin senior Cody Sandlin.

The punters list included Eastern Illinois junior Scott Weatherford and Eastern Kentucky junior Jordan Berry.

Overall six OVC players made the punt returners list, including Austin Peay junior Tee Howell, Eastern Kentucky senior Justin Bell, Jacksonville State senior Alan Bonner, Murray State senior Patrick Robertson, Tennessee State sophomore Weldon Garlington and Tennessee Tech senior Caleb Mitchell.

The Golden Eagles open fall camp on Friday, Aug. 3, and get the season underway on Thursday, Aug. 30, when they host Hampton University in a 7 p.m. contest in Tucker Stadium. Season tickets are on sale by visiting the Eblen Center Ticket Office or calling (931) 372-3940. Tickets may also be purchased online (click here) at TTUsports.com.

OVC Players on CFPA Specialists Lists
K - Stephen Stansell, Austin Peay
K - James Esco, Jacksonville State
K - Jamin Godfrey, Tennessee State
K - Cody Sandlin, UT Martin
P - Scott Weatherford, Eastern Illinois
P - Jordan Berry, Eastern Kentucky
PR - Tee Howell, Austin Peay
PR - Justin Bell, Eastern Kentucky
PR - Alan Bonner, Jacksonville State
PR - Patrick Robertson, Murray State
PR - Weldon Garlington, Tennessee State
PR - Caleb Mitchell, Tennessee Tech