Maplesville football star Damian Mitchell held a ceremony April 10 to announce his intention to play college football for Birmingham-Southern College.

In three full seasons on the Maplesville varsity team, Mitchell rushed for 3,204 yards and 41 touchdowns, compiled 692 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, and accounted for 1,180 return yards and five touchdowns–a total of 5,075 all-purpose yards and 54 TDs.

Mitchell also played on defense and recorded 19 interceptions and about 100 tackles from his safety position.

“I think they’re getting a firecracker, a stick of dynamite,” Maplesville coach Brent Hubbert said. “He’s not big, but he’s explosive.

“I think they’re getting a winner. I’m sure they’re excited, and I know he’s excited.”

In addition to the individual statistics, Mitchell has helped the Red Devils win 37 games, compared to four losses, win three region championships and earn one appearance in the Super 6 Class 1A state championship game in 2013.

Mitchell said he had been in contact with Birmingham-Southern coaches since the end of his junior season. He said he visited the BSC campus four times, most recently in March for the “Select Southern” event, when he toured the campus, spent the night in a dormitory and had breakfast with the school president.

“That’s really what drew me up there,” Mitchell said about the event and added he hadn’t made up his mind until the visit.

Mitchell said BSC coaches have indicated they would like for him to play slot receiver and serve as a return specialist.

Mitchell said his biggest attraction to Birmingham-Southern was the school’s emphasis on academics as well as athletics.

“They push you just as hard in the classroom to make you successful, just like they do on the football field,” he said.