Former Hawkeye Derrick Mitchell Jr. dies from injuries sustained in car accident
Former Iowa running back Derrick Mitchell died after getting into a car accident over the weekend.
Iowa running back Derrick Mitchell Jr. celebrates his touchdown during the Iowa-Maryland game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. The Hawkeyes defeated the Terrapins to stay undefeated, 31-15. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)
October 8, 2019
Former Iowa running back Derrick Mitchell Jr. has died at age 24 after suffering injuries from a car accident, Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz confirmed Tuesday.
Mitchell played at Iowa from 2013-16.
“Way, way too young for something like that to happen,” Ferentz said. “Our feelings and condolences are with his entire family.”
Mitchell ran for 174 yards and three touchdowns with the Hawkeyes, receiving playing time in 2015 and 2016. He also caught 21 passes for 165 yards in those two seasons.
Mitchell’s best game came against Northwestern in 2015 in which he ran for 79 yards and a touchdown and hauled in three passes for 43 yards.
After leaving Iowa as a graduate transfer, Mitchell landed at Incarnate Word, where he ran for 601 yards and five touchdowns in his lone season in 2017. His impact in the passing game followed him to the Cardinals, as he also caught 17 passes for 83 yards and a score.