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Blavity News is a community and platform for Black Voices, Stories, Creators and thought.
© Blavity, Inc., 2022

4-Star Football Recruit Totes Live Gators To Announce Commitment To University Of Florida

The two young alligators undoubtedly increased the already high degree of excitement at Mizell's signing ceremony.

August 01, 2022 at 9:23 pm

Aidan Mizell, a highly sought-after football recruit, has officially committed to a university and did it with commendable style.

The wide receiver announced his decision on Friday and said he would attend the University of Florida this fall.

While many eagerly anticipated Mizell’s decision, they were even more blown away by how he made the announcement: unveiling two live alligators during his signing ceremony.

Both of the gators were babies who had their jaws taped shut, though they were undoubtedly real and ramped up the shock value of the occasion.

Mizell posted on Instagram to commemorate his signing down below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 247Sports (@247sports)

247 Sports also shared a more extended version of this video on social media.

#BREAKING: 4⭐️ WR Aidan Mizell has committed to Billy Napier and @GatorsFB 🐊🐊🐊@AidanMizell really brought out the real life Gators 😳🐊 @Swamp_247 pic.twitter.com/yibng46o1h

— 247Sports (@247Sports) July 29, 2022

The Boone High School football star also composed a few tweets on the exciting subject, noting that it feels “great to be a Florida gator.”

#GoGators #D23AMTEAM 🐊🐊 pic.twitter.com/5CRYdThLhl

— Aidan “Early” Mizell (@AidanMizell) July 29, 2022

One more 🙃 pic.twitter.com/VIcDpJbEjv

— Aidan “Early” Mizell (@AidanMizell) July 29, 2022

It’s great to be a Florida gator 🐊

— Aidan “Early” Mizell (@AidanMizell) August 1, 2022

Aside from the University of Florida, it’s worth noting that Mizell was also considering committing to the University of Tennessee and the University of Alabama. Numerous other noteworthy schools, like Ole Miss and the University of Georgia, were also interested in the student-athlete.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hayes Fawcett (@hayesfawcett3)

Mizell was a recruit to keep an eye on this year, with ESPN even ranking him as No. 93 on its 2023 ESPN 300 list, a compilation of player rankings.

Furthermore, 247 Sports ranks Mizell as a 4-star athlete, which is quite an accomplishment.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hayes Fawcett (@hayesfawcett3)

While Mizell’s announcement caught onlookers by surprise, it’s worth pointing out that he’s far from the only student-athlete to pull a stunt like this.

According to ESPN, Isaiah Corwell brought a bulldog puppy to announce his commitment to the University of Georgia in 2011.

Similarly, in 2014, George Brown Jr. used a dwarf baby caiman to announce his commitment to the University of Florida.