ENMU's Mitchell earns third All-America honor

PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico senior cornerback Rodney Mitchell of Sarasota, Fla., has been selected a second-team preseason All-America by D2Football.com. The honor marked the third preseason All-American selection for Mitchell, after being named by The Sporting News and Lindy’s Sports.

Mitchell was one of two Lone Star Conference defensive backs to be named on the team, as five total players were selected from the LSC.

He tied for seventh in Division II and first in the LSC South Division in 2009 with seven interceptions. Mitchell also led the LSC with 23 passes broken up and finished with 72 tackles.

He recorded two interceptions in each of the first two games of the season, against CSU-Pueblo and Southwestern Oklahoma. Mitchell scored his first touchdown against Texas A&M-Commerce, returning his fifth interception of the season 22 yards.

Over the last four games of the season, Mitchell broke up 12 passes, including five against Tarleton State.

Mitchell and the Eastern New Mexico University football team open their 2010 season at Blackwater Draw on Saturday against Southern Nazarene. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.