GAINESVILLE, Fla. — With seven of their 12 games against teams ranked in the preseason Associated Press Top 25, the Florida Gators need talented weapons, and Florida wide receiver Aidan Mizell said he is ready to make a splash this season.
Mizell, a redshirt sophomore, showed flashes of the player he could turn into last season, when he caught 17 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns.
What You Need To Know
- Former Boone star Aidan Mizell says he hopes to make a bigger impact for the Gators this season
- The wide receiver caught 17 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns last season
- Florida’s top two receivers from last season — Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike — are now in the NFL
- Andy Johnson, his coach at Boone, said Mizell has the right mindset and is hard-working, so he thinks Mizell could play a big role at Florida
“I feel like I still have a lot to go. I feel like there’s always more to do,” Mizell said. “I feel like I’ve gotten better at the top of my route, the route running, every nook and cranny.”
Mizell could get the opportunity to increase his production this season because the Gators’ top two receivers from a year ago — Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike — are both in the NFL now.
Mizell has already built a rapport with Florida starting quarterback DJ Lagway.
This will be the Orlando native’s third year in Gainesville, but he said he doesn’t see himself as a late bloomer. He said he thinks his career is right on course.
“I feel like some people come in more ready than others,” Mizell said. “I got hurt my senior year (of high school), didn’t play much football. I didn’t play receiver in middle school; I wasn’t allowed to play football. So, just a slow learner, I guess.”
Mizell’s coach at Boone High School would disagree with that.
“The thing about Aidan is he wasn’t just a fast guy. He knew how to play football,” Boone coach Andy Johnson said.
He said he would not be surprised to see Mizell dominate this season because he’s seen him do it before.
During his junior season for the Braves, Mizell had over 1,000 receiving yards with 18 touchdowns.
“I think anything is possible,” Johnson said. “He’s a hard-working kid. He’s always approached things the right way. He’s a kid that gives back to the community. So, I think his mindset is right, too.”
Mizell has all the tools in the toolbox. Now he just needs to put them together on Saturday afternoons.
Brandon Green
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