Mitchell Chooses Colorado; Clifford Decides on Oregon

Erik Mitchell of Los Alamitos High School, one of the leading rushers in Orange County last season, said Thursday he has made an oral commitment to attend Colorado next fall.

Also making an oral commitment this week was Mater Dei’s Kealii Clifford with Oregon.

The first day a recruit can sign a letter of intent is Feb. 14.

Mitchell committed to Colorado this week after visiting Nebraska. He visited Colorado last December and also took trips to Washington and Washington State.

“It was like a tie between Nebraska, Washington State and Colorado,” Mitchell said. “I just liked Colorado a lot.”

Two of Mitchell’s Los Alamitos teammates, quarterback Todd Gragnano and linebacker Brian Havens, have committed to Nebraska.

“They’re still trying to convince me to come to Nebraska,” Mitchell said. “But my mind is made up. I’m going to Colorado.”

Mitchell, 5-feet-11 and 168 pounds, was 12th in the county in rushing last season with 1,011 yards in 161 carries. He transferred to Los Alamitos from Mayfair High in Lakewood when his family moved last June.

Mitchell, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds, said he expects to redshirt or return kickoffs next year for the Big Eight-champion Buffaloes, who were 11-1 last season.

Clifford, 5-11 and 195 pounds, chose Oregon over Hawaii, New Mexico and Arizona State. Clifford will join Mater Dei quarterback Dan O’Neil at Oregon, where Clifford expects to redshirt his freshman year.

“I canceled trips to Hawaii this weekend and Arizona State next weekend,” said Clifford, who rushed for 795 yards in 162 carries last season. “I decided that I didn’t want to go to Hawaii because I lived there for 12 years. It’s a pretty laid-back place.”