Lance Mitchell Lance Robert Mitchell ( born October 9 , 1981 in Los Banos , California ) is an American football player who is currently a free agent in both the Arena Football League as a Fullback / Linebacker and the National Football League as a Linebacker . He was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals . He played college football at Oklahoma . In his career , Mitchell has also played for the Orlando Predators , and Arizona Rattlers . High school career . Mitchell attended Los Banos High School , where he was a three - year starter and an All - State selection at both linebacker and Running back . As a senior , he averaged 9 . 6 yards - per - carry , rushed for more than 3 , 000 yards , and scored 36 touchdown s . His best game as a running back was 12 attempt , 250 yard performance , including six touchdowns . College career . Mitchell originally signed with the University of Florida , but the Southeastern Conference ruled him ineligible because an issue with his high school transcript . While in college , he majored in Sociology . S . F . City College . Mitchell attended San Francisco City College for two years and helped lead his team to a 24 – 0 record , two California state championships , and two JuCo Gridwire national championships . As a sophomore , he earned All - American honors and recorded five sacks , one interception , and 80 tackles . Oklahoma . In 2002 , Mitchell transferred to the University of Oklahoma where he played his final three college seasons . In his first season at Oklahoma , Mitchell started every game at middle linebacker . He led the team with 124 tackles ( 87 solos ) , four sacks , 20 tackles - for - losses , six passes defenses and four forced fumble s . He earned Second - team All - American ( " CNNSI " ) , First - team All - Big 12 Conference , and Big Twelve Newcomer of the Year honors . In 2003 , Mitchell was off to a strong start , recording 17 tackles ( 13 solos ) with two tackles - for - losses in the first two games . However , his season came to an early end after he tore the ACL in his left knee against Fresno State . As a senior in 2004 , Mitchell finished second on the team with 78 tackles ( 45 solo ) , two sacks , ten tackles - for - losses , four quarterback pressures , two fumble recoveries , a forced fumble and five passes defensed . For his performance , he earned consensus All - Big 12 Conference first - team honors . Oklahoma career summary . In 29 games at Oklahoma , Mitchell recorded 219 tackles ( 145 solos ) with six sacks , 32 tackles - for - losses , two fumble recoveries , five forced fumbles and eleven passes defensed . Despite playing just a little over two seasons at Oklahoma , his 32 tackles - for - losses rank fifth among Sooner linebackers in a career . Professional career . Pre - draft . Mitchell was invited , and attended the 2005 NFL Combine . He was rated the 7th best Inside Linebacker out of 57 , and was projected to be selected in the third to fourth rounds of the draft . National Football League ( 2005 – 2006 ) . Mitchell was selected in the fifth round ( 168th overall ) of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals . As a rookie , he played in 12 games , recording eight tackles on defense , along with 14 special teams tackles . In 2006 , he appeared in two preseason games for the Cardinals , however , he suffered an injury , and on September 5 was placed him on Injured Reserve . Then , just three days later , he and the Cardinals agreed on an injury settlement and he was released by the team . Arena Football League ( 2007 – present ) . On January 25 , 2007 , Mitchell signed with the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League . For his rookie season , he started all 15 games he played in at linebacker . For the season he finished seventh on the team with 18 . 5 tackles , second on the team with 3 . 5 tackles - for - losses , and third on the team with two sacks . His performance for the season earned him AFL All - Rookie honors . However , he was not re - signed by the Predators and became a free agent . On November 19 , 2007 , Mitchell signed with the Arizona Rattlers . Then on February 6 , 2008 , he refused to report to camp with the Rattlers . In turn , on September 10 , he was waived by the Rattlers .