Eric Mitchell
1989 · Round 6 · Pick 165 · RB · New England Patriots
Eric Mitchell played RB at Oklahoma and was drafted by the New England Patriots in round 6, pick 165, of the 1989 draft. Note: there is no Wikipedia article on him. Pro Football Reference has no player page for him. This bio covers his draft record plus SoonerStats roster data. Name note: Pro Football Reference lists him as "Eric Mitchel." SoonerStats lists him on OU's roster for 1985 FR QB, 1986 SO QB, 1987 JR HB, 1988 SR HB. His listed size in 1988 was 6-1, 205 lb. SoonerStats gives his full name as Eric Mitchel. It gives his hometown as Pine Bluff, AR. It lists his birth as February 13, 1967. SoonerStats spells his name "Eric Mitchel." A March 1987 Daily Oklahoman article calls him No. 2 behind Holieway in their freshman and sophomore seasons and says he had been promised a shot at halfback that spring. A January 1987 Oklahoman item says he would run the 60 or the 60-yard high hurdles for OU's track team. The Tulsa World reported on Sept. 5, 1989, that the Patriots released the rookie running back in final cuts.
Sources
https://soonersports.com/sports/2019/8/13/208798496 | https://soonerstats.com/football/players/details.cfm?playerid=1082 | The Daily Oklahoman, March 20, 1987, "Bosworth History; Hollieway Injured" (via NewsBank) | The Oklahoman, January 28, 1987, "Two State Recruits Commit to TU" (via NewsBank) | Tulsa World, September 5, 1989, "Final NFL Cuts Trim Hilger, Ex-Hogs" (via NewsBank)