Three official visit spots set for Florida four-star 2024 RB Tovani Mizell
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Wherever Tovani Mizell goes, the 37 scholarship offers given follow with him. After a sophomore season at South Florida’s Cardinal Newman, Mizell moved to Maryland suiting up with DeMatha. For his senior season, the four-star tailback is back in his home state ready to topple defenses with Western High School. The change in scenery hasn’t slowed the recruiting pitches from coming his way.
The recruiting process for Mizell has changed a bit over the last month after decommitting from Georgia on March 8. The new Western Wildcat updated which teams are keeping heavy ties.
“UNC, Kentucky, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arizona – there are a few schools,” Mizell stated.
An offer from the Wildcats may be waiting for Mizell upon arrival in Lexington.
“The school showing the most interest that hasn’t offered me yet is probably Kentucky,” Mizell shared. “They want me to go down there and visit the campus.”
Four teams have seen Mizell so far this spring.
“I went to Oklahoma twice; I went to a game and then I went to one of their Junior Days,” Mizell said. “I went to UNC on the way down to Florida from Maryland. I went to Florida. I almost forgot about Florida; I love Florida. I went to Florida last week; I got a chance to see my cousin. I also went to USF.”
After two trips to Norman, Mizell detailed the relationship with the Sooners’ staff.
“It is crazy,” Mizell stated. “Coach (DeMarco) Murray (RB) and I have had a tight relationship since before he even offered me; that was probably back in February of last year. Our relationship is really strong. I had to get up there to go see them. When I went to the game, I actually showed up a little bit late, so I had to come back to see what it was like.
“He (Murray) has come to my school about six or seven times since we’ve been in contact. He is really cool; I love him. I love coach (Jeff) Lebby (OC). I got the chance to see him in person. He is a really cool guy. Coach (Brent) Venables, I love coach Venables. I’ve had the chance to talk to him a couple of times on the phone, but to actually get out there and talk to him in person is big.”
The time in Chapel Hill helped bond player with coaches.
“I love UNC,” Mizell shared. “The thing with them is, I had an offer from them, but their coach wanted me to get on campus to make it more memorable. That was really cool. Coach (Larry) Porter (RB), I have a good relationship with him. He’s been recruiting me since last year. He has amped it up since I decommitted. He’s a really cool coach.
“I also got the chance to meet coach Mack Brown in person; that was really cool. He loves me a lot. He was telling me that I am a really good football player. He said he wanted me to do an official, so I scheduled an official with them. I love it over there.”
Mizell continued, “Coach Mack Brown’s brother (Mel) coached my dad at UAB; I thought that was pretty cool too.”
The “love” for the Gators was shared, “They are definitely building something. They are on the uprise for sure. They just completed their new facility, I loved that. I love coach (Jabbar) Juluke (RB), he is really cool. He and coach (Jay) Bateman (ILB) have been recruiting me even while I was committed. They wanted me to get on campus, I had to go show my interest. I love them. They are really cool, really cool to talk to.”
The next round of visits for Mizell may be the paid for by the college kind.
“Right now, I’m going to Oklahoma, I am not 100 percent sure on the day, I’m going to UNC, and then I am planning on going to Tennessee,” Mizell said. “I am still trying to figure out the other ones.”
The new rule by the NCAA opening official visits to an unlimited amount beginning in July could play a factor in which other teams Mizell sees.
“Since official visits just opened up, you can take unlimited amount,” Mizell stated. “I am looking at a couple of other schools. I love Arizona a lot; I love coach Scottie Graham (RB). He’s really cool. I’m definitely planning on taking an official with them. There are a couple of schools that I definitely need to go see. I haven’t been able to see a ton of schools because of money, but I am planning on catching a couple of other schools.”