USC freshman wide receiver Steven Mitchell will miss the 2013 season after suffering torn ligaments in his right knee during a voluntary workout on Friday morning.
Mitchell was taking part in a throwing session with several of his USC teammates at the Loker Track Stadium when he began running a route, made a cut and instantly went down clutching his right knee in obvious pain. He was taken off the field on a cart by the USC medical staff and underwent an MRI exam.
An explosive playmaker, Mitchell was hoping to earn playing time as a true freshman in the fall after a stellar career at Mission Hills (Calif.) Alemany, where he was ranked as the No. 90 player in the ESPN 150. Mitchell had been a regular attendee at USC spring ball sessions in an effort to get a head start on learning the offense.
Mitchell is the second USC receiver to have a season-ending knee surgery as George Farmer suffered a torn ACL and MCL in spring ball. In addition to starters Marqise Lee and Nelson Agholor, the Trojans' remaining receiver group also includes Victor Blackwell, De'Von Flournoy and Darreus Rogers.