REPORT: Arkansas Quarterback Brandon Mitchell Is Transferring

Apr 20, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorback red quarterback Brandon Mitchell (17) makes a pass during the red vs. white spring football game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

CBS Sports’ Bruce Feldman reported on Monday that Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Mitchell is transferring.

The Associated Press reports Mitchell is one of four Razorbacks to transfer:

"The others leaving the school are defensive end Austin Flynn, safety Defonta Lowe and running back Keante Minor. Flynn and Lowe didn’t go through spring practice, and Bielema had previously said they would transfer."

Arkansas wrapped up its first spring practice under new head coach Bret Bielema last month, with Brandon Allen listed atop the depth chart.

Allen played much of the spring game with the first string, completing 11-of-16 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown.

Allen was the primary back-up to Tyler Wilson during Arkansas’ tumultuous 2012 season. He threw 49 passes for 186 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his freshman campaign.

Interim head coach John L. Smith primarily used Mitchell at wide receiver last season, where he caught 17 passes for 272 yards. At quarterback, Mitchell went from 32 attempts for 271 yards and touchdowns passing with another two rushing scores in 2011, to just eight pass attempts and six carries in 2012.

Mitchell competed for the starting vacancy Ryan Mallett left after the Razorbacks’ Sugar Bowl run in the 2010 season, but lost out to Wilson. His departure leaves the Razorbacks thin and adds to the challenges Bielema will face in his first season.

Mitchell, an Amite, La. native, is immediately eligible for a Bowl Subdivision program. He could be a nice fit for a program seeking an immediate answer at quarterback in 2013, like USF.