In his first three games as a starting varsity quarterback, Re-Al Mitchell has shown two things in particular.
First, he's a true leader for California power St. John Bosco High School, which is ranked No. 5 in the MaxPreps Composite Top 25. Second, as a 2018 dual-threat quarterback, he may be better than originally advertised.
Mitchell opened the season by throwing for 204 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 121 yards and a score in a nationally televised game against St. Xavier High School of Cincinnati. One of those runs was a 98-yard touchdown, which set a school record.
He followed that game with a four-touchdown performance (two rushing, two passing) in a win against La Mirada (California) High School.
And even in a loss last week against the nation's top-ranked team, Las Vegas' Bishop Gorman, Mitchell was a shining star. All three games have backed up every word that Bosco head coach Jason Negro told Bleacher Report this past spring.
"He may be the most dynamic athlete we have on campus," Negro said.
If you know Mitchell's background, none of this is breaking news. And if you know who Mitchell's parents are, you probably expected it.
After all, when your mother is a bodybuilder and an alumnus of one of the most iconic, world-class-athlete shows ever, American Gladiators, and your father is a longtime Marine and actor, success is instilled in you.
Success and athleticism. A lot of athleticism.
Son of Blaze
Those who watched American Gladiators in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s remember amateur athletes competing in various drills and obstacles against the show's titans in tests of strength, speed and overall skill. Men and women worldwide wanted a piece of the Gladiators.
Blaze was one of those athletes. And from 1990 to 1992, she was one of the toughest Gladiators to defeat in any event. Blaze is now known around St. John Bosco simply as Sha-ri Mitchell, Re-Al's mother and one of the track and field coaches at the all-boys school.
But those who knew her as Blaze will never forget her.
"When I was growing up, that was one of the top shows coming out," Negro said. "It was so great watching these athletes go through these obstacle courses and seeing how physical it was. When Mrs. Mitchell walks through the door, it's always, 'Oh my gosh...that's Blaze.'"
"I got a chance when I was younger to first watch [the show], and I was taken aback that my mom was on TV," Re-Al said. "Seeing her then and now, she still looks the same. Watching her doing some of the obstacles looked like stuff I wanted to play in. It looked like a lot of fun to me."
The one thing Re-Al first noticed was her competitive nature. His mother never wanted to lose at anything. That mentality is now his mentality, and it shows on the football field.
His mother said he's been a competitor since birth, someone who she knew at an early age would possess her demeanor.
tido @tidoroblesYou ain't catching RE-AL MITCHELL
"He's been under my tutelage running since two," said Mrs. Mitchell, who was a triple-jumper, hurdler and sprinter at Nebraska before her life as a Gladiator. "At four, I put him in his first meet, and he won. His mentality, he's grown up with that. It's not something new for him; we were preparing him."
When he's not on the football field, Mitchell is a standout track athlete, excelling in both the 100-meter and 200. He's run the 100 in 10.67 seconds, but perhaps more impressive is his 200 time of 21.34.
The training he's received from his mother has helped turn him into a dynamic, dual-threat option for Bosco's football team. He's a slippery runner who may have one of the most underestimated arms among quarterbacks in California.
He's also a game-changer. Just ask St. Xavier. Mitchell lined up his offense on Bosco's 2-yard line and he found a hole and darted 98 yards for a momentum-shifting score.
Off the field, Mitchell is a scholar. He is an A student in the classroom, per Negro, and knowledgeable with video technology, per his mother. He pushes his teammates not only as a quarterback but also as a student-athlete.
Mitchell has the traits that every college program looks for in a future quarterback. And he also has a famous mother to fuel his drive.
"My daughter is a black belt who won Junior Olympics in taekwondo at a young age. He would look at her, at two, and think he could beat her," Mrs. Mitchell said. "He was only two, but you saw it in his eyes.
"He's competed with her all his life. It was kind of scary, but it wasn't."
Calm, cool, collected
Gridiron Circuit @GridironCircuit.@RealDupreeM finds the edge for the 38-YD touchdown scamper @boscofootball
At 6'0" and 185 pounds, Mitchell is the new face of a Bosco team loaded with present and future stars, including Ohio State offensive lineman commit Wyatt Davis.
As a backup quarterback last season, Mitchell took over starting duties in the first half of the CIF-Southern Section Pac-5 championship game against Corona, California, power Centennial High in December. Quentin Davis, now a freshman at Fresno State, was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Bosco trailed Centennial 34-10 when Mitchell entered the game. The Braves ultimately lost to Centennial 62-52, but not without a fight from a determined sophomore who threw for two touchdowns and also rushed for one.
A gamer. Someone who refuses to accept defeat. That's how Mitchell wanted to introduce himself, and that's how he said he wants to be remembered as he progresses into a household name in college football recruiting.
"I'm just a humble, intelligent individual who tries to bring out best in my teammates," he said. "I'm willing to do anything to help my team win. My goal is to hopefully help the team win state and have a national title come with it."
He's also an ice-water-in-the-veins type of athlete. Rarely will you see nerves get the best of him. Competing in the Junior Olympics as a young sprinter helped him realize a "big stage" is only as big as you make it.
"It's all about preparation, and with him, if he says he's going to do something, he'll do it," Mrs. Mitchell said. "If he says he's going to get three touchdowns, he'll go get three touchdowns. I still remember him when he was 11, 12 years old. Every play, every game, it was awesome to see.
"He's so calm and so conditioned because he makes sure he's prepared. You knew back then that this kid was ready."
Credit part of that mentality to his father. Rodney Mitchell is a 30-year member of the U.S. Marines. He also has been an actor and a stunt double in a few movies, including Mortal Kombat, Batman & Robin and Alien: Resurrection.
Additionally, Mr. Mitchell was a part of the TV series Knights and Warriors, a game show often compared to American Gladiators but with a medieval theme. He was known as Knightmare.
In many ways, Re-Al lived as the son of superheroes. It's something he appreciates and uses as motivation. The last thing he wants is to be the person in the house who didn't make a name for himself.
"I feel like I've been blessed, genetically especially," he said. "I'm really fortunate to have parents who can say they are heroes to people. I think it's cool that you can pop in a DVD and see them, too."
Recruiting picking up
Bosco Football @boscofootball#NikeFootball.
When asked about a favorite target in offensive packages, Mitchell couldn't name just one. The talent pool is deep at Bosco, with 4-star Washington receiver commit Terrell Bynum, 3-star Northwestern receiver Berkeley Holman and several others who serve as reliable targets.
Mitchell knows that his ability to spread the ball around will not only make his team more versatile and dangerous but also build his resume as he prepares for college football. Cal Poly was his first offer. Utah was his first FBS offer. He said schools such as Tennessee, Northwestern, Washington, Fresno State, Penn State, Purdue and Arizona are showing interest as well.
The Cal Poly offer came a week after last year's CIF championship game. Utah offered in April and would give him an opportunity to play Pac-12 football. Mitchell said he's taking his time with his recruiting process and doing research on a number of schools.
Re-al Mitchell @6god_mitchellExtremely excited to announce that I've received a scholarship offer to the university of UTAH! #GoUtes #GloryToGod
"It's kind of special knowing that someone is willing to give you a free education for your service athletically. Whoever offers, I'm going to feel honored. I think some kids take it for granted. It's a big deal to me.
"Cal Poly will always be my first offer, and with Utah, there's a possibility of playing on TV every week. That was really cool to me. I've always had aspirations of playing at the next level, and now I feel like it's really a reality."
Negro said the winning school will get an athlete who is "super committed to everything he does." Mitchell's poise under pressure is noteworthy, and he acts as a professional wherever he goes. Negro also described the quarterback as someone with a few tricks still up his sleeve.
"He's such a dynamic player," Negro said. "Where he's going to surprise a lot of people is how well he can throw the football. Everybody sees him as just a runner, and he's really good at running, but wait until you see him throw."
The remainder of the season will serve as an opportunity for Mitchell to answer numerous questions at once. Can he excel against powerhouse programs? Will he stay calm under pressure? Can he impress college scouts?
Can he be a winner?
It's exactly what Mitchell wants—in football and in life.
"I want to show that on this stage, I can do it," he said.
His mother responded: "He's not afraid, because he's competed at such a young age. This isn't something that scares him. If anything, it motivates him."
Call it a gladiator's attitude.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles.
