While Mitchelson will likely remain behind co-captain Milan Williams '09 in the depth chart in the wake of spring training season, he has been an impact player since his freshman year at the College.
Last year, while playing behind Williams, Mitchelson was second among all running backs on the Dartmouth squad, posting 230 yards on 67 carries for an average of almost 3.5 yards per carry.
Against Columbia, Mitchelson showed his potential to be an impact back. He exploded for 105 yards on 19 carries, the first 100-yard game of his college career.
Although he is unlikely to start, Mitchelson said he remains confident about his performance next season.
"As spring ended, Milan was ranked at the top of the depth chart, but I'll still be competing," Mitchelson said. "The way our offense is running right now, there are a lot of opportunities for backs to rotate in, so there should be considerable opportunities for playing time."
Mitchelson maintains that his only goal is for the team to win games.
"My personal goals tie in with the team goals," he said. "I just want to contribute to the team as much as possible -- whatever way that is: being a backup, catching passes, running. I just want to get the win. That's what it's all about."
Mitchelson, who is listed at 5 feet 10 inches and 185 pounds, is a player gifted with agility and acceleration. According to his biography on the Dartmouth Athletics website, he will "bring a sprinter's speed to the position" next season. Mitchelson also has exceptional strength for his size, a rare asset for a back with his speed.
Mitchelson, however, is quick to identify his own weaknesses.
"I'm not as shifty as some players, so I'll have to work on that," he said.
Mitchelson has spent the Summer term improving his agility and speed in order to get ready for the season, and said he has also worked hard on his pass-catching ability.
According to Teevens, Dartmouth football recently changed their offense to keep up with competition in the Ivy League.
"Developing from an offensive standpoint, the league is a scoring league," Teevens said. "If you look at people across the board, it's wide open. There's a lot of spread offense."
In response to this league shift, Teevens has moved the team's strategy away from a grinding style to a more spread, multifaceted offense
"Having people making plays in space is a real key for us," Teevens said.
Mitchelson's abilities should fit well into Dartmouth's new style. His speed and pass-catching abilities will present quarterback Alex Jenny '10 with a good option on the wing.
"I like [the new system] a lot," Mitchelson said. "We've been switching it up recently, and it gets us a chance to get more running backs on the field. The spread system should be nice. After seeing how well it's worked with other programs, it should be good for backs. We can get a chance to get out on the perimeter and catch some swing passes, and it also creates bigger holes to run through by spreading out the defense."
Mitchelson also said he anticipates the addition of new talent from the team's new players in the Class of 2012. Teevens has said that his recruiting has been focused in large part on strengthening the offensive line.
One of these new linemen has trained with the team throughout much of Summer term.
Mitchelson said welcomes the competition that the new players will bring.
"I think we have a great recruiting class, and it should really help to strengthen up the team," he said. "It's important to keep a competitive atmosphere, especially with the '08s gone, so they'll provide some good competition to help push everybody in practice and in games."
