Mitchell Agude, a former UCLA defensive lineman, looks to be one step closer to announcing his decision after entering the transfer portal on Feb. 16.
On Tuesday night, Agude posted his Top 4 to Twitter, featuring Tennessee, Miami, Washington, and Oregon.
Agude’s journey began as a three-star JUCO prospect in the class of 2020 at Riverside Community College out of Corona, CA. While a JUCO recruit, Agude was the second-ranked JUCO weakside defensive end according to 247 Sports and the tenth-ranked junior college prospect according to Rivals.
— Mitchell Agude (@OfficialAgude) February 23, 2022
With the natural athleticism that Agude possesses, he has played a few different roles on the defensive side of the ball, ranging from defensive lineman to defensive end to linebacker. Judging by the way that he was used at UCLA, it looks as though Agude is more than talented enough to create different positional mismatches on the field based on what the offense is showing.
Following his time at Riverside, Agude decided to transfer to the Power 5 level, ending up at UCLA for the start of the 2020 season.
Agude would spend the next two years at UCLA and saw action in every game for the Bruins during that stretch.
UCLA DE Mitchell Agude was 2nd on team last year in QB pressures – trailing only Osa Odighizuwa
I'm expecting some huge production in '21 from @OfficialAgude
2020 Pac-12 Pressure % (min. 150 snaps)
OREGON Thibodeaux 15.9%
UTAH Tafua 13.6%
UCLA Agude 12.6% ⬅️
USC Jackson 11.3% pic.twitter.com/klxxigCuZY— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) June 19, 2021
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During the shortened 2020 season, Agude played a role in all seven of the Bruins’ games, even starting five of them. In his first go-around with UCLA, Agude led the Bruins in tackles for loss with nine and ranked “fourth in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss per game at 1.29,” according to UCLA.
Then, in his second season with UCLA, Agude raised his game more, starting 10 of the Bruins’ 12 games. By the end of the season, Agude had proved himself to be one of the top defensive linemen in the Pac-12.
Agude was named the Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week after his performance in the regular-season finale against USC and finished 12th in the nation in forced fumbles (0.33/game). Additionally, Agude was named a second-team All-Pac-12 selection by coaches in the conference.
However, a few months after the conclusion of the Bruins’ 8-4 2021 season, Agude decided to enter his name into the transfer portal in the middle of February.
And now, as of his announcement on Tuesday, it looks like Agude’s choices are down to four: Tennessee, Washington, Miami, and Oregon.
Mitchell stands at 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 245-pounds according to 247 Sports. Below are highlights from Agude’s sophomore season at Riverside Community College.
If Tennessee’s coaching staff can work their magic to add Agude to this team, it would be a tremendous addition to a defensive line that is losing a considerable amount of production from 2021.
Departing linemen Matthew Butler, Jay Blakely, and Caleb Tremblay accounted for 39 starts, 94 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and eight sacks last season. All three players were foundational pieces to Tennessee’s defense but won’t return their production next season. While Tennessee does have the talent to replace those three players, adding a player of Agude’s caliber would be a tremendous upgrade to Tennessee’s current positioning.
Comparing his 2021 statistics to Tennessee’s defensive linemen from last year, Agude’s production was up there with Tennessee’s best. While Butler was excellent, finishing with 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks, Agude’s 2021 season ended with 55 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.
One way or another, Agude would give Tennessee a valuable veteran piece that could absolutely help welcome in Tennessee’s young inexperienced talent.
With the pacing that Mitchell Agude has been on so far, it does seem like he will be announcing his decision sometime soon. However, his exact announcement date and time is unknown.
Here's a Will Outside with Caleb Johnson blitzing at the Will, with (probably) a Cover 3 Sky (Boundary Safety underneath) behind it. UCLA covered up an all hitches pass concept long enough for Johnson and End Mitchell Agude got home on the quarterback pic.twitter.com/KESNuHfBQf
— chris osgood (@osgoodck) July 22, 2021
