NEW ORLEANS — Minutes after a last-second pass fell just past his grasp and out of the end zone on the game’s final play, Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell sounded like a player who had donned the burnt orange for a final time in Washington’s 37-31 win over the Longhorns in Monday’s College Football Playoff semifinal.

Mitchell, who transferred to Texas from Georgia in the offseason, talked to a scrum of reporters about “how memorable” the season became for both himself and his team. He talked about the goals he achieved, the connections he has made and the legacy he created in just one season in Austin.

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“All the things I wanted to do when I came here, I did,” Mitchell said. “I met a lot of great people. I’ve got a lot of great relationships. You know, I'm Texas forever in my blood. I'm just glad I was able to come back home and play for my home.”

So does that mean Mitchell is officially entering his name into the 2024 NFL draft?

Not quite.

“I haven’t made a decision yet, but I’ll let y’all know,” he said.

The 6-foot-4, 195-pound junior certainly has the measurements desired by NFL scouts. He also has the numbers after delivering 55 catches for 847 yards and 11 touchdowns in his most productive collegiate season.

Mitchell also proved his best in the CFP, which he has reached in all three of his collegiate seasons. He caught a touchdown in all five of his CFP games, including two with Georgia in both 2021 and 2022 as well as in Monday’s loss to Washington.

Overall, Mitchell has 12 catches for 181 yards and five touchdowns in his five CFP games. He would have loved to add to that total in next week’s championship contest, but said he had no regrets about this year.

“It was a great season, so there is no need for anybody to hang their head, you know?” he said. “The fault isn’t on one man. We all went out there as a team, and we fought our butt off. We just played a great team. As a team, this all is done. At this point, all we can do is just reflect on the memories we had.”

Mitchell, fellow receiver Xavier Worthy and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders are all expected to declare for the upcoming draft, although none have done so yet. The deadline for underclassmen to declare is Jan. 16. In addition, senior receiver Jordan Whittington won’t return. No other receiver on the current Texas roster has more than eight receptions, but the Longhorns did receiver a portal commitment from Houston receiver Matthew Golden, a veteran who will be a junior in the fall.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football WR Adonai Mitchell quiet on NFL Draft possibility