Mitch Craft

42

Class: RS Junior Hometown: Cape Girardeau, Mo. High School: Cape Central HS

Height / Weight: 6-1 / 235 Position: LB Birthdate: 09/22/1985 Experience: 1vl

Had perhaps the best spring of any defensive Golden Eagle and enters the fall in a heated battle for the starting middle linebacker position ... Looks to step up and make an impact this season ... Has a big frame and is strong and physical ... Saw action in four games in 2005, all on special teams ... Missed the final two games after injuring his hamstring in practice before the Tulane game ... Joined the team in 2004 as a quarterback, but was moved to defense later that season ... Needs to continue to work hard and gain more experience ... 2005 (r-Fr.): Saw action in four games ... Finished with one assisted tackle against Houston (11/13) ... 2004 (Fr.): Redshirted ... Prep: Three-year letterwinner at quarterback for Coach Lawrence Brookins at Cape Central High School ... Threw for 2,097 yards, completing 150-of-215 passing, tossing 15 touchdowns against seven interceptions ... Helped the team to an 8-3 record and a berth in the sectional playoffs ... Also ran for 560 yards as a senior, including 10 touchdowns ... Played cornerback on defense in the final five games of his senior season, finishing with 30 tackles, two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, two fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles ... As a junior, he tossed 19 touchdowns, against six interceptions, completing 132-of-177 passes for 1,733 yards ... Helped the team to a 10-2 record and quarterfinal berth in the playoffs ... Finished with 495 rushing yards and seven touchdowns ... In his sophomore season, he threw for 1,436 yards on 103-of-171 passing, 13 touchdowns against seven interceptions ... Helped the team reach the quarterfinals in the playoffs and a 7-5 record ... Also ran for 320 yards and five touchdowns ... Named all-conference and all-region as a sophomore, junior and senior ... Selected all-state as a junior and senior ... Was the team's best offensive player as a senior ... Lettered three years in baseball and was an all-conference selection ... Also lettered three years in basketball ... Personal: Son of Gary and Darla Craft ... Enrolled in general studies ...Born Sept. 22, 1985.