We would like to welcome our next Diamond In The Rough to Gridiron, Mitchell Couvilliuon, a 6’3″ 180-pound Defensive Lineman out of Bunkie High School. Carrying an outstanding 4.1 GPA on his back, he recently attended the Breaux Bridge Gridiron Football Elite Camp, where he performed exceptionally well. He clocked a 4.91 40, a 4.41 shuttle, and a 9’6″ broad jump, earning him a spot in the 2026 Gridiron All-American Bowl game at the end of the year. Because of his size, he surprises people with his strength, making him a mismatch for many offensive linemen with his quickness and ability to get to the quarterback and the sideline. During his junior year, he posted 35 tackles, three sacks, and TFLs, and one safety. He was also an honorable mention all-district and all-parish, and his dream is to play for LCU.
Here is my conversation with Mitchell Couvillion:
What has your football journey been like? At what age did you start playing football, and what inspired you to play football?
I wouldn’t really say anything inspired me; I have always just loved playing the game ever since I could walk, just like my dad and I would play catch in the yard. My journey has been up and down, a roller coaster, but it has been fun regardless, like I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Flag football at around five or six years old.
Who have been some of the biggest influences in your journey? Family members, coaches, etc?
Definitely my mom, my head coach, and one of my teammates, Dominic, who is really inspiring and has pushed me over the years to be better at things and stuff like that.
How would you describe the football culture at your school, community, and in Louisiana?
I’d say it’s a very big sport, especially in our community, because its growth has been amazing. The whole community really supports us, and the seats are always packed for every home game. It just feels like everyone really supports us, and it means a lot to us.
Do you have a core memory of playing as a little kid, like when you first started playing?
My best friend was on the other team, and it was a Hail Mary, and I ended up catching the ball over his head for the win. We still talk about it a little bit today, and we always kinda go back and forth since we play together now.
Was playing DE something you always wanted to do, or did you have another position in mind at first?
I mean, I was hoping for linebacker, but I just wanted to be on the field wherever it would be best for the team.
What’s something about your game that you think separates you from other players at your position?
My hustle and my effort, and then like speed rushes and stuff like that.
What part or parts of your game do you feel like have improved the most over the years, and what would you like to improve on?
My football and technique have definitely improved a good bit over the years, and I would like to improve at holding down run blocks, like not getting pushed back.
Walk me through your preparation during a typical game day.
I’ll wake up, eat breakfast, head to school, and on a gameday, everything is kind of relaxed and stuff. We’ll have a couple of assignments, and we’ll get through them. After school, we’ll go to the field house to get everything ready, eat our pregame meal, put on our jerseys, and go to the pep rally. We get back from there, then we have a little lights-out period where we’ll take a nap, then we have an offensive and defensive walkthrough, tape, and then special teams will go out first, and then the rest of us go and stretch. Right after we stretch, this is the unique part: we go walk through our grove and get to high-five everybody, all the fans and stuff. Then, we’ll go back, pad up, and play football.
What kind of things do you do during the offseason to stay motivated, disciplined, healthy, etc?
One, I think about the reward that can happen if I work as hard as I can for it every day. There’s also a gym called Peak Performance, and I go there, and I just really enjoy being there because obviously I’m pushing to be better every day and be the best version of myself.
What were some of the toughest challenges you faced over the years of playing thus far?
Just some days, you wake up, and you don’t see progress, and that really challenges you, because it’s almost like, what are you doing it for? But then you keep on going and going, and it brings you to the next stage in life.
What was the most memorable game you played, and why did it stand out?
Our rivalry game, which we play every year because it’s such a big rivalry, and our head coach used to coach there as well, so that adds more to it.
How would you describe yourself as a leader to your teammates?
I’d say it’s pretty good because I always want my teammates to be the best version of themselves, whether they like it or not. I want them to be who they can be, not who they want to be.
When people look back at your high school career, what do you hope they say about you as a player and person?
He would never give up.
Did you play any other sports when you were younger, or do you do any others now?
Baseball and basketball
What was the Breaux Bridge Gridiron Football camp experience like?
It was interesting because there were a lot of people I had played against before, and they were all pushing me to be the best version of myself, and I really enjoyed it.
What were some of your biggest takeaways from it? What is something you learned the most?
Just pass rush moves and stuff like that, they really helped us during that little window period where we did all the drills.
What has the recruitment process been like for you? Any offers? Are you getting in contact with any college coaches?
I’m getting into contact with some coaches, the main one right now is Rhodes in Memphis.
Is there a specific college or colleges you have in mind that you want to play for?
I would say LCU because it’s close to home and it’s great competition.
Why do you believe you can be a difference maker wherever you end up?
I am willing to do whatever it takes to be that guy, like it doesn’t matter what anyone says or does, I’m going to do it.
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