Britt Mitchell Proud to be at OU

NORMAN, Okla. -- Getting an offer to come play football at the University of Oklahoma is a dream come true for many. For Britt Mitchell, it was so much more.

The offer gave Mitchell a chance to not only play football, but to come to college, and become the first in his immediate family to do so.

"It means a lot to come to college," Mitchell said. "I worked really hard. Football became my ticket to college and I'm proud to be in this spot."

The 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive lineman hails from Roscoe, Texas, a town of less than 1,000 people. Mitchell knew Norman and OU would be a lot different.

2008 OU Signing Day Central |Britt Mitchell Highlights | Signee Bios, Highlights & Webcast Archives

Yet Mitchell's mother, Cari Duda, is not worried.

"It's a dream come true for us," Duda said. "He has worked very hard for it and has had his heart set on college. I'm not worried about him being at OU because he's leaving my home to go to another one."

Mitchell chose to leave that small Texas town he loves to enter OU one semester early. He hoped to get a jumpstart on workouts and his academics, and show the coaches his ability. He is determined to play hard and play big.

During a high school kickoff return, he broke his helmet and the kicking wedge with a pancake block.

His towering presence will assist an already dominant offensive line, but first there is a learning process.

"I want to learn all I can from the older guys," Mitchell said. "The older guys know that we [the freshmen] are their future. They are going to help out because they do not want the team to be bad."

The team functions as a small community. The smaller feel and family undertones are the characteristics that set OU apart from other universities. That is what Mitchell enjoys.

"OU is a smaller university," Mitchell said. "It is a closer community here. Most of my classes have less than 20 people in them."

His mother also loves the "family feel" of OU.

"I am really pleased with OU," Cari said. "I like that it is a smaller school; it is a more family-oriented school. I liked that the coaches were very interested in the welfare of the kids. Everyone was just very genuine."
Mitchell enters Oklahoma as a health and exercise science major. Hoping to learn more about strength and conditioning, Mitchell knows the high level of academic expectation at OU.

"At OU, you strive for a higher education level," he said. " Football gives me motivation to get things taken care of."

It's all part of living the dream for Britt Mitchell.

Britt Mitchell - Favorites

Favorite Food: Italian
Favorite Restaurant: Macaroni Grill
Favorite Movie: Scarface
Favorite Actor: Chris Farley
Favorite Cartoon Character: Cartman
Favorite Past Sooner: Dusty Dvoracek
Favorite Music Artist: Shooter Jennings
Favorite Place in Norman: Pita Pit
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Favorite Hobby: Hunting
Favorite Color: Red
Favorite TV Show: Southpark

Britt Mitchell - Closer Look

What was your best football moment in high school?
When I was a kicker, I broke the wedge and my helmet.

Who is the biggest celebrity you have met?
Emmitt Smith at the Dallas Cowboys football camp.

What are you most scared of?
The unknown

Who is your dream date?
Katherine Heigl

What is the best part about becoming a Sooner?
Getting in shape

What is a descriptor of Coach Stoops?
Driven

Do you have a nickname?
"Big Country"

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By Meredith Noonan | OU Athletics Media Relations

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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