Originally Posted by
CajunSaint08
Brian Mitchell was better than "pretty good" when it came to passing. His freshman year, he split time with another true freshman, Richard Panell, who was a true drop back passer. Panell was very good and was recruited to be the Payton Manning of our Ragin Cajuns. Mitchell was a horrible passer his freshman year, but could run like the wind. Brian Mitchell was the first true Michael Vick of his time.
Even though he was a so-so passer, he provided a spark like no other when he was on the field his freshman year. During the off season between his freshman and sophomore year, he worked and honed his passing abilities, plus worked out in the weight room. He was by far the strongest man in the weight room. Coaches had to actually throw him out the weight room because he was a beast that wouldn't quit. He improved so much between his freshman and sophomore year that he won the QB position out right. And the rest is as you say history.
Panell left after his sophomore year. Not sure where he ended up. He really was a great passing QB but Brian Mitchell was a legend in the making that changed the game.