IOWA FOOTBALL

Hawkeye running back Derrick Mitchell will graduate, transfer

Chris Cuellar
ccuellar@dmreg.com

Veteran Iowa running back Derrick Mitchell Jr. will play his final college football season in a different uniform.

The St. Louis, Mo., native will graduate in May and transfer, the university announced Wednesday, giving him immediate eligibility at another program after receiving limited snaps for the Hawkeyes as a junior in 2016.

“Derrick was a great teammate and valuable team member during his career,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said in an afternoon release.

Iowa running back Derrick Mitchell Jr. celebrates a touchdown during the Hawkeyes' game against Miami (Ohio) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016.

“We congratulate him on earning his degree this semester and wish him good luck next fall.”

Mitchell began his Iowa career as a wide receiver, redshirting in 2013 and recording one special teams tackle in 2014. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound athlete moved to running back in 2015 and logged 162 yards and two touchdowns rushing and 15 catches for 141 yards receiving.

Playing time grew scarce last fall as Akrum Wadley and LeShun Daniels Jr. became the first Hawkeye duo to ever rush for more than 1,000 yards each. Mitchell played in just five games, mostly as a third-down running back in passing situations. He finished the season with two carries for 12 yards with one touchdown and six catches for 24 yards.

Mitchell was listed third on Iowa's spring depth chart, released earlier this month, behind Wadley and rising sophomore Toks Akinribade.