We found it baffling then, and we find it baffling now: why only one Division I college football program from North Carolina extended an offer to former Grimsley High standout running back Mitchell Summers.
There may be serious regret these days as Summers is enjoying a breakout debut season at Sacred Heart. On Monday, Summers was named the Stats Perform FCS National Freshman of the Week following a 243-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 32-14 win over Howard this past weekend.
What Summers may have lacked in measurables during the high school recruiting process – his current profile lists him as 5-7, 155 pounds – he more than made up for in production. Consider his eye-popping resume while at Grimsley, one of the top North Carolina high school football programs in the state:
- 6,614 career rushing yards with the Whirlies (ranking 21st all-time in NCHSAA history)
- 114 career rushing touchdowns (5th all-time in NCHSAA)
- Three consecutive seasons of 2,000+ rushing yards, which included Grimsley’s 2024 state title run in 2024
- 47 touchdowns as a senior, tying him for 10th most in a single season in the NCHSAA.
- 43 rushing scores as a junior, 16th all-time
“He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s got the things you are looking for in a running back,” Sacred Heart running backs coach Ernesto Purnsley told NC Football News over the summer. “We were surprised that he was available, that more guys weren’t taking a good look at him. We can’t wait for him to get up here in August.”
Summers, who signed with Sacred Heart in February, has rewarded the Pioneers’ faith in him in spades. He averaged 13.5 yards per carry in Saturday’s game and logged his name into the Pioneers’ record books with the fourth-best single-game rushing performance in school history. Summers raced for an 80-yard touchdown on his first touch of the second half.
ESPN mentioned Summers during its Saturday College Football Final show, giving him a “helmet sticker” for his notable performance.
He… could… go… all… the… way!!
Mitchell Summers scores the Pios' first touchdown of the day!!#WeAreSHU🏈| #DEAL | #SHUGRIT pic.twitter.com/akYQeb4uQK— Sacred Heart University Football (@sacredheartufb) October 11, 2025
Sacred Heart, an FCS independent located in Fairfield, CT, has jumped to a 5-2 record. Summers has carried 109 times for 638 yards and five touchdowns to help lead the ground game. He has logged 100-yard games against LIU (105 yards, 1 TD) and Norfolk State (119 yards, 1 TD). He also has seven catches for 112 yards, including a four-catch, 93-yard performance against Delaware State.
Summers is listed 11th nationally in the FCS in rushing yardage (North Carolina Central’s Chris Mosley is 7th with 738 yards, 6 TDs).
Gardner-Webb was the lone known D1 program in North Carolina to offer Summers. Sacred Heart was the only other D1 school overall. Mars Hill and Winston-Salem State, who compete in D2 football, reportedly extended offers. Ultimately, Summers chose to head to the northeast to start his college career.
With the portal being what it is in today’s college football, Summers could end up playing for a North Carolina program at some point. Hopefully by now, he at least has their full attention. He certainly deserved it before.
Summers and Sacred Heart will face their stiffest test of the season this week. The Pioneers visit Montana (6-0, 3-0), currently ranked No. 4 in the nation by Stats Perform.
READ MORE ON MITCHELL SUMMERS: One that got away? Prolific Grimsley rusher Mitchell Summers signs with Sacred Heart (published March 2025)
