A two-year starter for the Tigers and a defensive co-captain his senior season, Johnny Mitchell was a mainstay for the Tigers throughout his career … Finished career with 119 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks … Oddly enough for a defensive lineman, he had 3 career interceptions, 2 of which he returned for touchdowns … Did not have a redshirt season.
SENIOR SEASON (1999)
Started every game his senior season, finishing with 49 tackles (28 solos), including a team-high 13 behind the line for minus 46 yards … Second on team in QB sacks with 5 for minus 24 yards … High tackle game of 7 twice: vs. San Jose State, at Georgia … 6 tackles at Miss. State … Intercepted a pass and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown at Alabama … 2 QB sacks vs. San Jose State and 1 each at Georgia and vs. Florida … Also intercepted a pass in season ending win over Arkansas.
JUNIOR SEASON (1998)
The Tigers’ starting defensive tackle in every game in 1998 … Totaled 27 tackles, including 18 solo stops … Made 9 tackles behind the line and 4 quarterback sacks, recovered 1 fumble and “hurried” the quarterback 4 times … Returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown against Idaho, catching a batted pass … High tackle game of 6 at Notre Dame with 2 tackles behind the line … Also made 2 tackles behind the line vs. Idaho … Recorded 1 QB sack in each of the first 3 games vs. Arkansas State, at Auburn and Idaho, and also made 1 vs. Alabama … Recovered a fumble at Florida … Saw action on 649 defensive plays from scrimmage … Also saw special teams play on punt return, PAT/FG protection and PAT/FG block teams.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (1997)
Started 2 games and played in 10 in 1997 … Totaled 23 tackles on the year with 2 behind the line and 1 QB sack … Moved into starting role at Kentucky and responded with a fine performance … Started at Kentucky and Alabama at RT … Spelled Anthony McFarland at right tackle through first 7 games and in last 2 … High tackle game of 7 vs. Akron … Broke up a Tim Couch pass at Kentucky … Fine game in win at Alabama: 6 tackles, 1 QB sack … Saw plenty of action vs. UTEP and recorded 2 stops … Missed Miss. State game with injury … Member of LSU’s “Bandit” unit in upset win over Florida.
FRESHMAN SEASON (1996)
One of the best young talents on the LSU squad … A true freshman who started season opener vs. Houston in place of injured regular Anthony McFarland … Played in all 11 games and made 20 tackles … High tackle game of 6 vs. Houston … Made 5 tackles with 1 TBL in win over NM State.
HIGH SCHOOL
A member of Atlanta Constitution’s Super Southern 100 … A member of the Baton Rouge Advocate’s Super Dozen … A member of the New Orleans Times-Picayune’s Top 10 Blue Chip list … A member of the SuperPrep Magazine All-America Team, he was listed among the top 40 defensive linemen in the country … A member of the Tiger Rag Dirty Dozen … Played defensive tackle, nose guard and has also played offensive guard in high school … Recorded 16 sacks in 1995 and caused 6 fumbles … In his last 2 years of high school, he totaled 167 tackles, 18 quarterback sacks, caused 11 fumbles and recovered 8 fumbles … Returned 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown … Named Class 5A All-State … Played at John Ehret High School in Marrero under head coach Billy North … High school teammate of fellow LSU signee Theo Williams.
Mother: Deborah Mitchell
Sister: Dana
Full name: Johnny Mitchell
Place of birth: Marrero, La. (October 20)