LSU football leads for 2021 safety from Florida

LSU football is the team to beat for 2021 safety Dakota Mitchell.

LSU football is the leader for 2021 safety Dakota Mitchell, according to Rivals’ Mike Farrell.

Mitchell hasn’t been rated by Rivals (he’s a three-star safety according to 247Sports), but his offer sheet suggests he could be an elite player at the next level.

The Florida native holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma and Tennessee, along with LSU and many others.

Unrated/three-star recruits don’t typically have that type of offer sheet (another reason that recruiting rankings aren’t the gospel).

Mitchell, who recently put Florida and Georgia in his top three (with LSU), was scheduled to take an unofficial visit to Athens next week. But the novel coronavirus outbreak has put those plans on hold.

But there’s still a decision to be made in the not-so-distant future.

And one thing that will be a factor in Mitchell’s decision?

His mom.

Mitchell told Rivals last month that he doesn’t anticipate leaving his mom’s side, saying “she knows everything, and everything she says always ends up happening”.

He added “Moving far away from her would be something big for me. I hope she can get a home wherever I go, because I can’t go too long without seeing my mom.”

LSU is 11 hours from Mitchell’s hometown of Winter Park, while Gainesville is only two hours away. Athens is eight hours away.

While it certainly appears that distance could be a factor, if Mitchell’s mom is willing to relocate, that could make LSU a viable option.

And I’m guessing that’s the case, otherwise Mitchell wouldn’t name LSU his leader.

The Tigers currently have four commits to their 2021 recruiting class.