#31 Jahron McPherson — Incoming freshman safety Dominic Mitchell’s decision to wear No. 31 conjures up memories for me of Jahron McPherson (31), who excelled for Chris Klieman during his first two seasons here. | Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

In which BracketCat counts down the 31st day until the 2025 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State safety Dominic Mitchell.

Yes, I know today is actually 29 days until kickoff. Please bear with me this week as I work to catch back up. I had a medical emergency last Friday night and have been out of commission for much of the past week. In order for me to catch up with the Countdown, I will be taking an indefinite hiatus from the Protest Playoff posts until I’m feeling better.

#31 Dominic Mitchell

True Freshman | 6-0 | 195 lbs. | Paradise Valley, Arizona

Position: Safety
Previous College: None
Projection: Redshirt
Status: On Scholarship

Dominic Mitchell (b. Nov. 3, 2006) is a promising young safety from Brophy College Preparatory, a Catholic high school in Phoenix, who plans on majoring in business.

Since he did not arrive in time for spring practices, I think it’s safe to assume he will redshirt and not play in 2025 as he works to gain weight and learn our defensive systems.

Mitchell prepped under head coach Jason Jewell at Brophy, where he was viewed as the 64th-best safety in the Class of 2025 by On3, while the organization rated him as the ninth-best overall prospect in the state of Arizona.

He earned all-district honors as both a junior and senior after he tallied 191 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, 12 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in his prep career, which included a 64-tackle effort as a senior and a 72-tackle campaign as a junior. He also led the Broncos to the state semifinals as a senior.

Mitchell picked K-State over offers from Air Force, Army, Fordham, Idaho, Montana State, Navy, Princeton and UConn, as well as strong recruiting interest from Arizona, Arizona State, California, Kansas, Michigan, Michigan State, Syracuse and Vanderbilt.

His lead recruiters were defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman, his new position coach, and defensive tackles coach Mike Tuiasosopo, who has recruiting ties all over the West Coast.

Here’s what he had to say last summer about his decision to become a Wildcat:

I chose Kansas State because of the culture they have surrounding football, family, brotherhood, and life as a whole. I wanted a coaching staff that believed in me and could develop me, and I know the K-State staff can do both. They make me feel like family and that I belong.

First of all, I’m super excited to be a part of coach Joe Klanderman’s defense. He’s a great teacher and knows the game so well. I believe the defensive scheme fits my game and my versatility can allow me to play either the jack or strong safety. I truly can’t wait to be in it.