Carlton Mitchell is a 6'4", 197 pound freshman wide receiver for the South Florida Bulls. In 2007, Mitchell led the Bulls in receptions (37), receiving yards (537) and touchdowns by a WR (4). That's pretty impressive, considering that South Florida finished 9-3 this season and were once ranked as the 5th best team in the nation. On Monday, December 31 Mitchell's Bulls take on the Oregon Ducks in the Sun Bowl. Before the game, the freshman standout took a few moments to answer questions from our own Paul Topchyan.
Paul Topchyan: Who do you think most deserved the Heisman Trophy?
Carlton Mitchell: I personally think that Tim Tebow deserved Heisman Trophy because, out of all the other candidates, he had the most outstanding season.
PT: As a freshman, how does it feel to lead your team in receiving?
CM: As a freshman who is leading the team in receiving, I feel very blessed and fortunate to accomplish something like this. It just goes to show that all [the] hard work I [did] during my red-shirt year paid off.
PT: Since you are a freshman and QB Matt Grothe is a sophomore, you will be catching passes from him for years to come. What do you think that duo can accomplish in the future?
CM: Aw man, yeah I have two more years with Grothe and his Grohawk. This is going to be really something special because once me, Grothe and the other receivers get [our] timing down [pat] we are going to be a very powerful unit come next year.
PT: Your team beat two very good, ranked opponents in Auburn and West Virginia. How were you guys able to make that happen?
CM: Yes, our program [has] come a long way and to accomplish such wins [as] those is very big for our university. I can't really say we [did] things any different [than] any other team preparing-wise. But I can say, during those two weeks of practice, we were more intense than usual.
PT: After beginning 6-0, your team lost three straight close games. What went wrong in those games?
CM: We started off very good this season and, from a player's standpoint, I can say that there were things that [were] in our control and, at the same time, a few things that [weren't]. There's nothing we can do about the past, but there's still a promising future in our program.
PT: How has USF been able to turn things around since dropping three straight games?
CM: We have [managed] to bounce back and finish strong because that's the only way we know. In order to do this, we just stepped up to the plate and increased our focus and intensity, which turned our season around.
PT: What can you say about your upcoming opponent, Oregon, and what has your team done to prepare for the Sun Bowl?
CM: As far as Oregon goes, I don't really know much about them, but I do know that they are a very good team with a strong secondary with a lot of speed. Our team has really been getting after it these past few weeks in practice and the intensity level is very good.
Mitchell and the South Florida Bulls take on the Oregon Ducks in the Sun Bowl on Monday, December 31 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Will Carlton and the wide receiving crew be able to outrun Walt Thurmond III and the Ducks secondary? Tune in on New Years Eve to find out.
For further coverage of the Sun Bowl, check out our interview with Oregon CB Walt Thurmond III .
