Aidan Mizell, a talented wide receiver in the class of 2023 that Tennessee has been targeting, announced his commitment on Friday afternoon. Mizell announced that he would be committing to Florida over Tennessee and Alabama in front of his high school peers with his family by his side.
However, Mizell’s family wasn’t the only thing next to him.
In spectacular fashion, Mizel brought out not one, but two live gators to hold up and show off to the crowd. There have been some surprising moments and dramatic situations during live commitments before, but Mizell holding a gator in each arm may just land at the top of the surprises list.
Pate State material pic.twitter.com/3iWRZ6KoIn
— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) July 29, 2022
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Boone receiver Aiden Mizell commits to @GatorsFB over Alabama and Tennessee. And yes, those are live gators in his arms!@fox35orlando pic.twitter.com/CMAdEfdLm4
— Jessica Eley FOX 35 (@FOX35Jessica) July 29, 2022
Mizell ranks as a four-star receiver according to On3, 247, Rivals, and ESPN. The Orlando native has been heavily projected to land at Florida in the last few days, but not after a strong fight from both Tennessee and Alabama on the recruiting trail.
The Boone High School wide receiver had a busy month of June before announcing his commitment in July.
Aidan Mizell first took a visit to Florida on June 3 before traveling to Knoxville to meet with Josh Heupel, Alex Golesh, and the Tennessee football program for an official visit on June 10. Mizell then took officials to Georgia and Alabama on June 17 and 24, respectively, before announcing a top three of Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama in mid-July.
Mizell’s commitment to Florida doesn’t bump the Gators ahead of Tennessee in 247 or On3 Sport’s Team Rankings, but it does move the Gators much closer.
Tennessee currently has the No. 11 nationally ranked 2023 class with LSU at No. 10, Arkansas at No. 12, and Florida at No. 14 according to 247.
Additionally, according to On3’s 2023 team rankings, Tennessee sits at No. 11 nationally with Florida at No. 13.
Despite slowing down some as fall camp approaches, Tennessee has had a tremendous month of July when it comes to the recruiting trail. The Vols have hauled in nine commits with seven in the class of 2023 and two in the class of 2024. Of those nine recruits, one is a five-star (Jonathan Echols, c/o 2024), three are four-stars in Tennessee’s 2023 class, and five are three-stars with one being in the class of 2024.
