McFarling: No more shell game for Hokies' James Mitchell | Virginia Tech | roanoke.com

The Virginia Tech tight end was a straight-A student in high school. He’s on track to earn his degree in sports media and analytics in December. He’s a brilliant player, an NFL prospect who can line up all over the offensive formation. He’s a quiet worker who has the respect of everybody on the team.

Mitchell, who grew up in Big Stone Gap and starred at Union High, retains a lot of the small-town qualities that molded him. The son of a pastor at a non-denominational church, he aims to make his Wise County hometown proud.