Westfield A.D. says Mitchell was ‘a really good kid' Houston player who'd committed to Oklahoma shot and killed Westfield A.D. says Mitchell was ‘a really good kid'
Those who knew Herman Mitchell said he was polite, intelligent and always smiling.
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"He had grown to become an outstanding young man,” said Doug McCutchen, athletic director at Westfield, a Houston-area high school Mitchell attended. "He always had a smile, always happy.
"He was a really good kid.”
Mitchell — who had verbally committed to play football at Oklahoma next season — was shot to death outside his apartment Friday afternoon.
According to police, Mitchell, 17, was on his way to Westfield High School for a football scrimmage with three of his friends about 4:30 p.m. when a fight broke out in the parking lot between Mitchell and a man police have identified as 19-year-old Emile Lewis.
Police said that Lewis then went to his apartment and returned with a rifle, shooting Mitchell multiple times. Mitchell was pronounced dead at Ben Taub General Hospital.
Police said they have arrested and charged Lewis with Mitchell's murder.
"Herman had kind of a difficult home life,” McCutchen said.
"But he was a kid with a great amount of future and ability.”
Coming into this season, Mitchell was regarded as one of the top prep linebackers in Texas.
He earned first-team all-district honors, recording 115 tackles and two sacks.
His efforts helped Westfield to a 13-1 record and the Texas Class 5A regional semifinals before the Mustangs lost to Allen.
Earlier this month, Mitchell was selected to the Touchdown Club of Houston's preseason football team.
"That day, he was very happy, very excited,” said McCutchen, who attended the Aug. 15 ceremony with Mitchell. "This has just been devastating for everybody.”
The recruiting Web site Rivals.com ranked Mitchell as the 63rd best prospect in Texas and the 45th best safety recruit in the country.
The 6-foot, 200-pound outside linebacker, who wore No. 11, was known for his big hits and his ability to blitz into opposing backfields.
Even though he had several college scholarship offers, Mitchell liked OU offensive line coach James Patton so much he chose the Sooners on June 13 over Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado, Iowa State and Missouri without having ever visited Norman.
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