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Get to Know Vanderbilt University Offensive Lineman, Chase Mitchell
Name: Chase Mitchell
Hometown: Washington, Pennsylvania (though he was born in McKeesport)
High School: Washington High School Sport: Football Position: Offensive Tackle Alma Mater: Liberty University. Liberty University is a private, evangelical Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The institution has a total enrollment of around 97,000 students between in-person and online programming. The Liberty Flames are members of Conference USA in football. Current Institution: Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt is a private, research institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The athletic department are members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and compete as the Commodores. Vanderbilt is home to over 13,700 students, but features just a seven percent acceptance rate and is considered one of the top institutions of higher education in the entire world. Degree Earned: Sports Management from Liberty University Current Degree Path: Master’s degree in law at Vanderbilt University. He anticipates earning this degree in 2025. High School Accolades: Four-time section champion, two-time all-section as an offensive lineman, all-WPIAL offensive lineman as a senior, WPIAL championship as a sophomore, his Washington High team was ranked number one in the state during his high school career, rated a three-star recruit, and received over 30 college football scholarship offers at both the NCAA Division I and NCAA DIvision II level. College Accolades: Has played in 41 career games over five college seasons, made 26 career starts as an offensive tackle, gave up just one sack and quarterback pressure in the 2023 season with Liberty, one of the highest rated tackles in the SEC in 2024, helped Vanderbilt be invited to the Birmingham Bowl against Georgia Tech later this month, helped keep his quarterback clean with one of the lowest pressure and sack rates in the SEC, and is a part of one of the nations best offensive line groups, who allowed just 17 sacks the entire season (1.42 per game).
Favorite College Football Memories: Helping Liberty to an undefeated regular season in 2023, while also becoming a Top 25 ranked program and securing a spot in the 2024 Fiesta Bowl. At Vanderbilt, he was a part of the Commodores first win against Southeastern Conference foe, Abalama, since 1984 earlier this season. What Being a Part of Success at Liberty and Vanderbilt Has Meant: “Everywhere I’ve been blessed to play football, I’ve felt a family vibe and a brotherhood. It’s something I don’t take lightly. As young men, as soon as we understand the balance between competing and helping each other, the better we will always be for each other. I’ve found a group of brothers and friends through football who have helped me become a better person over time.” What His Roots in Western Pennsylvania Mean to Him: “Me being from western Pennsylvania means I’m strong. I’m not soft and I’m running from no adversity that may come my way. I’ve learned so much from my roots back home and I believe it’s prepared me for all the different environments I’ve been in and will be in going forward. Hard work is undefeated and being from where I’m from has shown me that and it’s been proven time-and-time again.” Navigating Fatherhood Through College and College Football: “If I’m being honest, my girl (Shallyn) is the only reason I’ve been able to make it all work. She’s helped me manage it all. There’s no I would be able to be present in all that I do without her; especially being dad when I’m at home. She’s a great mom and partner. She tells me I’m worth it. Everyday is far from perfect, but being a dad and having her as a supportive partner is the best feeling in the world. My son is my reason. When I’m lifting or going through intensity, I think about him. I have to feed my family. I continue to focus on making it as a professional one day and he keeps me motivated on this goal I’ve had for myself these last few years.”
More About Chase Mitchell’s Football Life and Life’s Journey: Chase began playing organized football for the first time in middle school. His junior year of high school, he changed from defensive to offensive line, and his career took off. He became a coveted recruit by many Power 5 programs, but unfortunately, he did not have the grades needed to earn a football scholarship when offers started coming in because of poor academic performance in his freshman and sophomore years. However, over the next year-and-a-half, he improved his grade-point average to over a 3.0 and earned a high SAT score, which helped him to earn and accept an athletic scholarship. Today, Mitchell plays for so many who have supported and loved him despite the adversity he has faced both on and off the field. From his coaches and community at Washington High; to his mother, Tamara; and his siblings, Cameron, Mumin, and the late Craig, these people and many others, have helped guide him to fulfill his ultimate potential both in the classroom, on the gridiron, and in his life. Mitchell is proof that it’s never too late to turn things around in life and hard work can take us to places we can only dream of.
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