Virginia Tech Loses Key Player Ahead of Game Against West Virginia

In No. 15 Virginia Tech’s 35-14 victory over Middle Tennessee Saturday, the Hokies may have picked up a win to maintain an unbeaten season, but it came at a cost.

VT’s star senior tight end James Mitchell suffered a season-ending knee injury that will require surgery on a goal-line carry against Middle Tennessee, The Athletic’s Andy Bitter reported.

A crushing blow: Justin Fuente announces TE James Mitchell will miss the rest of the season after an MRI revealed damage to his right knee that will require surgery. Mitchell, the #Hokies’ most versatile offensive weapon, got hurt on a goal-line carry against Middle Tennessee.

— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) September 13, 2021

Mitchell, a 6-foot-3, 256-pound receiving threat, was originally a four-star tight end out of Union High School in Virginia. He’s played in 22 games for the Hokies, racking up 52 receptions for 838 yards and 12 total touchdowns. An NFL prospect before the season, Mitchell decided to come back to VT for another season, so his injury is a particularly painful one for his draft stock.

Mitchell caught 26 passes for 436 yards and four touchdowns last season, and he had caught five receptions for 42 yards and a touchdown so far this season.

One of the Hokies’ most versatile and dangerous weapons on offense, Mitchell’s loss will be felt all season for VT. His loss will be felt immediately against West Virginia.