DETROIT, Michigan — The 13 invited prospects of the 2024 NFL draft played football with Special Olympics Michigan Wednesday morning.
The clinic was held at Corner Ball Park in Detroit and hosted by the NFL, which has partnered with Special Olympics since 2017.
Former University of Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell was in attendance and helped coach the players through flag football drills.
"Just getting my mind off the draft and interacting with kids and just playing and stuff like that, it feels great," Mitchell said. "It's been long, like the past couple days. Five or six different cities just meeting new teams."
Mitchell is the only player of the 13 invited from a mid-major conference. He said he takes pride in being able to represent his college program and city on this type of stage.
"I feel like it's just a great experience to be here and to represent Toledo," he said. "Persistence and perseverance through the whole four years. I was on special teams my first two years, to a starter, to here now. So it's just keep going and keep fighting."
Toledo football head coach Jason Candle reflected on Mitchell's journey from a recruit to a Rocket.
He said while physical traits are what initially catch a coach's eye, Mitchell's natural drive to be successful is what confirmed the gem they had and appreciates getting to see it come full circle.
"He's a great representation of what it should look like in the end of it," Candle said. "He gets a lot of attention because he's going to be a first-round draft pick, but we ask all our players to leave Toledo a better place than what they found it. We consistently ask them to give more than they take and I feel like if guys embrace those two thought processes, they can have an outstanding career."
"It hasn't set in," Mitchell said. "I think tomorrow night like when I get that phone call, I'll probably cry a little bit, but it hasn't set in at all. Been a long ride, long journey, so I just expect great things tomorrow night."
Candle added that he will be joining Mitchell in person during the first night tomorrow and that it will be his first time at an NFL Draft.
"Young people have a really hard time buying into who they said they were going to be and this guy did that from start to finish," he said. "And I think to watch this come full circle is a really special feeling. A great thing for our program and a really cool thing for the city as well."
The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday, Apr. 25 at 8 p.m.