4-star WR Aidan Mizell commits to Florida

Orlando (Fla.) Boone four-star wide receiver Aidan Mizell always wanted to play in the SEC. He believes it’s the best conference with the best competition and the best opportunities to get better.

Mizell chose three SEC schools as his finalists in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. The Gators offered the 6-foot-2, 180 pound wideout later because they hired a new head coach in Billy Napier. Even though Florida wasn’t near the top for Mizell at the beginning, he was soon sold by the program’s vision and the close-knit environment in Gainesville.

Mizell eventually realized that the Gators were the program for him. So on Thursday, he committed to Florida.

“Once they offered me, it was just the constant communication, getting me up on visits, just building that connection with me and like the entire staff,” Mizell told On3. “Everyone up there just feels like family to me and I feel like that’s the right decision for me.”

From his discussions with Florida coaches, Mizell envisions being a deep threat and utilizing his skills to make an impact on offense. He is not only excited, but also ready to make his own legacy with the Gators and be a part of one of the SEC’s rising programs.

“I’m gonna be that next great guy,” said Mizell, the No. 93 overall prospect and No. 15 wide receiver in the 2023 On3 Consensus.

Mizell impressed with multiple members of Florida’s coaching staff

One of the factors that led Mizell to choose Florida was how he felt during his June 3 official visit. He had visited Gainesville twice in April, but this trip showed the four-star wide receiver what it would be like to play for the Gators and work with the coaches.

“It was like the family environment,” Mizell said. “I didn’t feel weird. I didn’t feel uncomfortable. I felt right at home when talking to the players, the coaches, the staff, and the other recruits there. It was a really good time.”

Today, Mizell is confident that Napier and Florida can make the national championship and win it multiple times. Part of that statement is because of Napier, who Mizell called “structured and analytical.” He added that he likes the way his head coach thinks about the game and appreciates his support of players off the field. For example, Mizell said that Napier is always open to talk if he needs anything and wonders how he and his family are doing.

Mizell, who On3 rates as the No. 44 overall prospect and No. 5 wide receiver, also connected with wide receivers coach Keary Colbert. So far, Colbert has found success on the recruiting trail by landing Mizell, Tampa (Fla.) four-star wide receiver Eugene Wilson III, Gainesville (Fla.) F. W. Buchholz four-star wide receiver Creed Whittemore and Eustis (Fla.) three-star wide receiver Tyree Patterson.

“Me and coach Colbert are always either texting or we’re calling or on FaceTime all the time,” Mizell said. “We really bond over track cause he did a little bit of track at USC, so we’re always talking about that and football. He’s my favorite receiver coach that I’ve connected with.”

Mizell ready to chart his own legacy in Gainesville

Mizell is a Florida legacy since both his parents ran track for the Gators. But that had no impact on his college destination.

“I’m gonna be real,” Mizell said. “That probably had nothing to do with my decision.”

Mizell added that his parents love his college choice because they went to Florida and are Florida fans. However, he mentioned that they would be “my No. 1 supporter, my No. 1 fan” wherever he took his talents.

But since he’s playing close to home, Mizell is excited that his family will be in the stands at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

“It just means a lot to me,” he said.