Freddie Mitchell had one of the most dominant seasons in UCLA history. Being a Consensus All- American in 2000 leading to him being a first round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2001. Mitchell rarely lost any matchup and was second in the nation in receiving yards with 1,314 yards. If you add in his 180-yard Sun Bowl game, he was first overall with 1,494 yards. A game in which he won MVP and set a record for most receiving yards in the Sun Bowl.
MVP MONDAY!
Even in a narrow 21–20 loss, UCLA’s Freddie Mitchell delivered a record-setting performance with 180 receiving yards and a touchdown, earning him the C.M. Hendricks Sun Bowl MVP honor. 🏆⭐️#MVPMonday #TonyTheTigerSB #SunBowl #ElPaso #UCLA #NFL #PhiladelphiaEagles pic.twitter.com/JyNxxJXJ1Q
— Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl (@TonyTheTigerSB) July 28, 2025
Mitchell didn’t get many opportunities as freshman and sophomore year. But once he got to his junior year, he displayed his speed and route running. Leading to a breakout year. In seven of the 12 games he had 125+ receiving yards. With four games of 150+ yards. The main part about it all, is Mitchell was consistent the entire year with his low still being 58 yards.
SI Throwback Thursday / Freddie Mitchell #UCLA #UCLABruins #Bruinsfootball #Eagles #Philly #PhiladelphiaEagles #ucla #Pac12 #nfldraft #nfl pic.twitter.com/kV087LEsDB
— Scouting Insiders (@S_Insiders) July 27, 2017
Mitchell played four seasons in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles. Most notably being a part of two of the biggest catches in franchise history. Those being 4th and 26 and the famous Donovan McNabb 14 second scramble against the Cowboys on Monday Night Football. He made the check the watch celebration before the new age came along. Nicknamed Fred-Ex for his ability to deliver big time catches.
January 11, 2004: 4th and 26.
Donovan McNabb finds Freddie Mitchell (@FMitchell84) down the middle for the 1st down. The Eagles would force OT and win 20-17.
pic.twitter.com/FWTkGifohq
— This Day In Sports Clips (@TDISportsClips) January 12, 2023
Dallas week #TBT
Almost 20 years ago exactly - 11/15/2004 - the 14-second scramble, 60-yard dime to Freddie Mitchell in a blowout MNF win
Prime Donovan McNabb was unbelievable 🦅pic.twitter.com/YLxFIONq13
— Eagles Fan Central (@PhilaFanCentral) November 7, 2024
Mitchell’s 2000 season is 25 years removed and still tops the list of single season receiving yards. By a whopping 220 yards, that’s how good he was that season. Along with J. J. Stokes 1993 season, they might be the two top years for a UCLA receiver ever. It may take even longer for a season like that again. Mitchell will continue to sit on top of the record book for UCLA for the foreseeable future. UCLA needs to find another receiver that you know will have the upper hand in every matchup.