Former Alabama DB plans to re-enter transfer portal after 1 season at Mississippi State
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Former Alabama defensive back Tony Mitchell was considered one of the country’s top safeties when he signed with Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide out of the class of 2023. After going the JUCO route after his freshman season in Tuscaloosa, Mitchell returned to the SEC, this time with Mississippi State.
Mitchell, though, is on the hunt for a new destination once more. He plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens in January, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
A product of Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala., Mitchell was rated by 247Sports’ Composite as the No. 9 safety in his class. At Alabama, he played in seven games as a true freshman in 2023.
After Saban retired following the season, Mitchell, who had been hampered by injury, joined East Mississippi CC. There, he made 16 tackles and recovered a fumble.
With a year of JUCO ball under his belt, he made his way back to the FBS ranks in 2025 as he signed with Mississippi State. He finished the season with 25 tackles and four tackles for a loss.
After one season in Starkville, Mitchell appears poised to be on the move again as what was projected to be a successful college career hasn’t quite turned out the way he has hoped.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
