Top-100 WR Aidan Mizell to follow in parents' footsteps, talks commitment to Florida

Another prospect in the On300 has teamed up with the University of Florida, this time being a highly-regarded pass catcher from Orlando.

Aidan Mizell, a top-100 prospect from Boone High School, just announced his commitment to the Gators. Alabama and Tennessee were the additional finalists, while the likes of Georgia, USC, LSU, Notre Dame and Oklahoma extended offers as well.

According to the On3 Consensus, Mizell ranks as the No. 93 prospect and No. 15 wide receiver. With On3, however, he ranks significantly higher, checking in as the No. 5 wide receiver and No. 44 player overall.

Earlier this week, Mizell caught up with Gators Online to break down his commitment to the UF.

“It would probably just be the relationship I have with the whole coaching staff and everyone there,” Mizell said about his UF commitment. “The conversations I have with the coaching staff, a lot of it is non-football. It’s a lot more of making sure I’m OK, everything is good and if I need help.

“There is obviously the football talk, but that’s the stuff that really builds the relationship with the coaching staff.”

Proximity played a key role in Mizell’s decision to team up with the Gators as well.

“It’s just how close it is to Orlando,” Mizell said. “It’s close to a lot of things, especially family, so being able to come back if I need to. My parents can also come up for all the games, so that’s just real cool.”

Reeling in Mizell was a top priority for the Gators’ head man

It’s not often when a head coach serves as the point man in a prospect’s recruitment. It’s typically the area recruiter or coach at that position; however, that is not the case with Mizell and the Gators.

Billy Napier makes contact a number of times throughout the week and provides Mizell with a home-like feel. That genuine approach was consistent from the start and grasped the full attention of his parents as well.

“We have this group chat with my family, so he’s always sending stuff, talking and joking around,” Mizell said of Napier. “He’s just a real down-to-earth coach.”

As expected, wide receivers coach Keary Colbert also played a pivotal role down the stretch. He covets Mizell’s ability to stretch the defense and views him as a big-play threat for years to come.

During the 2021 season, the 6-foot-2, 180-pound rising senior hauled in 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and 18 touchdowns.

“He really loves my speed and views me as a deep-threat receiver in that system,” Mizell said. “He can see me doing screen passes and short passes to get me the ball early, but he would mostly use me as a deep threat.”

Undeniable ties to the orange and blue

As heavily noted from the start of his recruitment, Mizell’s parents attended the University of Florida. Not only did they graduate from the SEC school, but both of them participated in track and field while in Gainesville as well.

The Gators’ tradition has been instilled in Mizell for much of the wide receiver’s life; however, when it came to the recruiting process, he made sure to separate fandom and ultimately hit the reset button.

“Probably about two years ago, I really stopped being a fan of Florida and treated my recruitment as a business decision,” Mizell said. “It really had no impact going into my recruitment. I try not to let emotions take part.”

Mizell is not attending Friday Night Lights but says he will be present for tomorrow’s recruiting cookout. He is expecting to attend the majority of UF’s home games as well.

With today’s announcement, the Gators now hold commitments from 14 prospects. All but two of those prospects reside in the Sunshine State, as Aaron Gates and T.J. Searcy hail from Georgia.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.