Mitchell Arendsen
Defensive Lineman / Albion College
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Mitchell Arendsen: I am 6’5, 265.
Alex Khvatov: How did you prepare for the 2020 season with no offseason training?
Mitchell Arendsen: I have weights at my home for strength training. I go to a local soccer field for conditioning. I also do a beach workout.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Mitchell Arendsen: I played one year of basketball. I also played lacrosse. Lacrosse was fun. I was a three-year starter for lacrosse. I briefly considered playing it in college.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Mitchell Arendsen: I played RT and DE in high school. I was a bigger guy from a smaller school.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Mitchell Arendsen: Coming out of high school, I had a few D-III schools. I also had Northwood University. They looked at me. They are a D-II school.
Alex Khvatov: How did you wind up at Albion College?
Mitchell Arendsen: My old coach made a great impression on me. I went on a first visit in November or December of my senior year of high school. I was recruited as a defensive lineman.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your overall career?
Mitchell Arendsen: Freshman year, I played on a scout team defense. I wasn’t big enough yet. I came to college at about 215. Over the offseason going into my sophomore year, I got up to 245 pounds. During my first start as a sophomore, I had three sacks. I had 10.5 sacks during my sophomore year. I caught a lot of people by surprise. I played the five-technique in a 3-4 scheme. Junior year, we got a new defensive coordinator. We kept the 3-4, but I played out of the 4i. I was more of a run stopper this year. Our league runs the ball a lot. I racked up a lot of TFL’s this past year. I don’t worry about individual stats. I worry more about wins and losses. Last year, I stepped into the leadership role. During my junior year, we went 9-2. We have gone through three different defensive schemes here.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from your team this upcoming season?
Mitchell Arendsen: We will build off last year. We can be a contender in our conference and make the playoffs. We have a lot of guys returning. We have a lot of senior leadership.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Mitchell Arendsen: Being relentless. I am a smart player. I understand our scheme, and what other teams are doing. Part of my strength is my length. I am 6’5 and it definitely has its advantages. I have a positive mental attitude.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Mitchell Arendsen: There are times when I get caught up by trying to make every single play. We have guys that will make the play. I need to have trust in them. I need to stay in my role and let plays come to me. Leverage is another thing that I need to work on. I need to stay lower.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Mitchell Arendsen: Sophomore year when we played against Hope College. They were going for two points. I picked up on the call. They tried to run the ball right at me. I stopped them for a TFL. The pressure was on, and I made the play. This past year when we played against Trine. We came through and beat them. It was a big milestone for us because they beat us the previous two years.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Mitchell Arendsen: The biggest lesson for me has been consistency and just doing my job. It is a team game. I have learned to play within a system. They have done a great job getting us prepared.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Mitchell Arendsen: I have been a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan ever since I was a little kid. I grew up in Michigan. I have a couple of terrible towels lying around.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Mitchell Arendsen: J.J. Watt is a very versatile guy. He is a gritty player. I strive to play like him.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?
Mitchell Arendsen: WR Justin Thomas is a real threat. He is an incredible WR and a playmaker. LB Donovan Slates is a great player and a good athlete. OL Jared Jones. DL David Aukema is often overlooked. He is a gritty guy. He makes a lot of plays. He has great speed for an interior lineman.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Mitchell Arendsen: OT Brady Eding from Hope College. He always brings his A game. He will give you his full effort.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a DL?
Mitchell Arendsen: Low man wins.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Mitchell Arendsen: I have worked my way up. I am also unique in terms of my size. My work ethic is unmatched.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Mitchell Arendsen: Being able to go out there and be physical with people. You are physically dominating someone without getting in trouble for it. There is always room to grow.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Mitchell Arendsen: A leader is someone who shows how you should act and play. He shows how to carry yourself on and off the field. A leader is someone who brings other guys along on the field and in the classroom. He treats the team like their family.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Mitchell Arendsen: Away from the field, I like to golf with my dad. It is a bonding thing for us. Growing up in Western Michigan, I like to go to the beach.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Mitchell Arendsen: I am a finance and communications major. I want to go to the banking field. Or I might coach football down the line.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Mitchell Arendsen: Tenacious, smart, intense, caring, and thoughtful.
