Jakell Mitchell 'in the mix' at H-back

AUBURN -- Opelika native Jakell Mitchell is "exactly" what Auburn expected he'd be at the H-back position.

With backup H-back Gage Batten going down with an undisclosed injury, possibly for the entire season, the 6-foot-3 218-pound Mitchell, who is coming off an ACL tear, could see time behind Brandon Fulse.

"He needs to put on some weight to be an every-down player at the spot we play him in our league, but he's even more athletic than I thought he would be," Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "Coming off an injury where he didn't play for a year, that has been a really pleasant surprise."

Mitchell scored a touchdown during Saturday's practice.

"He's a physical guy. He is not scared of anybody," Lashlee said. "He's what, 215 pounds and he'll hit the biggest guy on our team in the mouth as hard as he can and not back down. He's very athletic, can really fly and really good in space. …

"The first week of camp I'd have probably told you I don't know if he'll be ready this year. Now at the end of camp I think he's got a chance to help us. In what role and capacity that will be will depend on injuries and what not, he's definitely somebody in the mix."