One of the state’s top defenders will be staying close to home at the next level.

Pleasant Grove defensive lineman Ian Mitchell has committed to Jacksonville State and first-year head coach Charles Kelly, he announced on social media.

Mitchell picked Jax State over offers from UAB, Troy, Alabama State, West Georgia and North Alabama, among others.

Mitchell was a second-team all-state selection in Class 4A this season for Pleasant Grove, racking up 19 tackles for loss and 14 sacks on the season for the Spartans.

He was selected to participate in the AHSAA North-South All-Star game, where he helped lead the North to a 45-24 win over the South team in the event.

Pleasant Grove finished the season 9-2 overall and won the Class 4A, Region 4 championship; the 4A No. 2-ranked Spartans fell to No. 5 St. Michael in the second round of the playoffs.

Mitchell will add to a high school recruiting class at Jax State that includes defensive backs Te’Marion Foster of Inlet Grove High (Fla.) and RJ Rainer of William Amos High (N.C.).