GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It’s a reality Aidan Mizell must live with, and he is okay with that. He did it, and everyone saw it.
The final judgment was unmistakable: Mizell made arguably the most dynamic play of Florida’s 2024 season.
“If you look at my Hudl highlights from high school, all I did was catch little screen routes and take them to the end zone,” Mizell said. “After I did the run, I was like, ‘dang, that reminds me of high school.’ It was fun.”
The travesty is that Mizell’s 65-yard catch and zigzag to the end zone in last season’s win at Mississippi State didn’t count among Mizell’s season statistics of 17 catches, 202 yards and two touchdowns. Officials erased the pass from Graham Mertz and Mizell’s highlight-worthy score after a controversial blind-side block penalty on running back Montrell Johnson Jr.
The play lives on in memory. In a rare turn of events, the social-media analysis seemed to agree: Mizell and the Gators got robbed.
This is one of the greatest plays ever to not count. Mizell is a DOG 🐊 pic.twitter.com/IRTuhbt3Qp
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) September 21, 2024
“I don’t care that it called back; it’s on film,” said Wil Mizell, Aidan’s father. “That’s him. That one play where he shook everybody, that’s him at 5 years old. That’s the same kid.”
Mizell appeared ready for a breakout role after his five-catch, 36-yard performance (officially) at Mississippi State. The stage was set for a memorable return to The Swamp when the Gators hosted UCF two weeks later.
Mizell grew up in Orlando and starred on a Boone High team loaded at receiver in his career, getting his first scholarship offer from the Knights. Mizell waited for his turn as teammates Parker St. John (Air Force), Javion Phelps (South Dakota) and two-way standout JaCorey Thomas (Georgia) caught the bulk of the passes on their way to scholarships.
With the Gators having a bye week before the UCF game, Mizell went home for the weekend and attended the UCF-Colorado game with some friends, excited to play against his hometown school the following week with many family and friends at the game.
Instead, Mizell suffered an injury that week at practice and missed the game. The guy couldn’t catch a break. When he returned to action, Mizell went back-to-back games without a catch until, making his first career start, he hauled in four passes for 66 yards against Georgia, including a 43-yard touchdown from DJ Lagway.
As Mizell prepares for his third season…
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