Updated: California junior QB Mike Mitchell commits to Vanderbilt, will be a 'great college player,' says coach

3-star standout from Riordan-San Francisco is 'special kid and generational talent,' who cites academics and playing in the SEC as key reasons for his choice

Riordan junior QB Michael Mitchell Jr. (9) completed 24 of 37 passes for 298 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-34 comeback win over host McClymonds to open the 2024 season. Mitchell completed TD passes of 16 and 40 yards to Cynai Thomas in the final six minutes, the latter with 43 seconds left to help the Crusaders to the unlikely win. / Photo: Eric Taylor

He's not the tallest quarterback — something he's heard his whole life — but Mike Mitchell Jr. is one of California's best.

Rather than stay close to home at nearby Cal, the 5-foot-11, 180-pound Riordan-San Francisco junior committed to Vanderbilt Saturday morning.

Academics, relationships with coaches and playing in the Southeastern Conference were major reasons why he picked the Commodores.

Mitchell is Vanderbilt's first football commitment from the 2026 class. Riordan (1-2) is at the end of its bye week and will resume play Sept. 28 at home against Sacred Heart Cathedral.

"It's a blessing being able to play in the best conference in all of college football and get a great education at the same time," he told 247Sports. "Vandy is building something special with everything they're doing and I feel like I will be a great addition."

Mitchell has been a starter at Riordan since his freshman season. Blessed with impecabble footwork and rifle right arm, he's completed 351 of 580 passes in 21 games during his career for 4,701 yards and 49 touchdowns against 16 interceptions.

Mike Mitchell Jr. threw for nearly 250 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-42 loss at Pittsburg on 9-13-2024 / Photo: Ben Enos

Riordan coach Adhir Ravipati called Mitchell "a special kid and a generational talent and person. ... He truly represents everything we want in a student-athlete at Riordan."

Mitchell is ranked the No. 28 quarterback in the country for the Class of 2026 by 247Sports and is the No. 53 player overall in California.

Vanderbilt, located in Nashville, Tenn., is one of 11 schools that have offered him a scholarship. The others include Arizona State, Arkansas, Cal, Ole Miss, Oregon State and Washington State.

The SEC is not only a perfect fit for him football wise, Ravipati said, but Mitchell's other dream is to be an aerospace engineer.

"He's an extremely intelligent student who's a valedictorian candidate and it translates to the football field," Ravipati said. "We ask a lot of him in our offense and he consistently delivers week after week."

Riordan junior QB Mike Mitchell Jr., who committed to Vanderbilt University in Nashville Tenn., brought back the Crusaders from a two-TD fourth-quarter deficit to beat McClymonds 35-34 to open the season. / Photo Eric Taylor

Mitchell is surrounded by future college players on his squad including 2025 recruits, 4-star wide receiver Chris Lawson (Washington commit) and 3-star linemen Losipini Tupou (Arizona) and Peter Langi. Five other juniors on the Crusaders have multiple offers, including 4-star lineman Tommy Tofi, 3-star receivers Cynai Thomas and Judge Nash and 3-star offensive lineman Michael Langi.

But Mitchell is the first Riordan junior to commit.

"I'm really happy for him and proud of him," Ravipati said. "He's earned this through his hard work and being doubted for his height and other things. But he's proven time and time again that he's just a fantastic player, and his drive and competitiveness will make him a great college player."