Tovani Mizell on Kentucky Commitment: ‘We’re Going to Make History’
Tovani Mizell is ready to bring a national championship to Kentucky.
Mizell, a 6-foot-1, 193-pound running back from Western (Fort Lauderdale, FL) announced his commitment to Kentucky on June 21 and already has high hopes for the place he’s soon to call home.
“Kentucky is building something special,” Mizell told KSR+. “I think we’ve got what it takes to win a national championship. They’re putting the right coaches in the building. People don’t realize how good Kentucky really is.”
Mizell also said that this group is “going to be part of something special.”
“We’re going to be the people that make history,” he said. “We’re going to bring a national championship to Kentucky.”
Mizell is part of a 2024 recruiting class that features some high-level offensive talent, including four-star quarterback Cutter Boley, three-star tight end Willie Rodriguez, and a pair of offensive linemen in Aba Selm and Hayes Johnson. He is also familiar with three-star EDGE Caleb Redd, who committed to Kentucky on June 28.
“[Caleb] let me know he was going to commit before and he was on an official visit with me,” Mizell said. “We built a relationship and we’re cool now. I was excited because he committed.”
Having committed himself, Mizell is looking to add to that growing group, including four-star wide receiver Hardley Gilmore.
“I’ve known him since I was a kid, really young,” Mizell said. “We ran track together. He likes Kentucky, so I’m really trying to recruit him. Also a couple of other kids who were on the visit. Hopefully, we can get them in the door too.”
As for his own fit, Mizell sees himself filling in any way the coaching staff needs.
“Obviously, I’d be an every down back,” he said. “If they need me to go in the slot and make a play out wide, they showed me a couple of clips of their running backs doing that. I’m a very good route runner, so they’ll play me a lot in the slot. Also, an empty backfield and I could catch some passes out of the backfield.”
Why He Chose Kentucky
Tovani Mizell could tell you for hours about the reasons he chose Kentucky. Whether it be the coaching staff, the offensive scheme, or his official visit, Mizell loves to rave about the UK program.
“Coach [Jay] Boulware and Coach [Liam] Coen both coached in the NFL, at the highest level, so they know what it looks like and what it takes to get to the next level,” he said. “I want to surround myself with coaches like that.”
Mizell said that Coach Coen talked to him about the offense Kentucky currently runs, saying that “about 60 to 70 percent of the NFL runs his offense.”
“That will give me an advantage over another player in my class when it’s time to get drafted,” he said. “They use their running backs in the run game, as well as the passing game. That’s something that definitely fits that system. I’m more of a versatile back, so I love to be used in the passing game as well.”
It’s not only Coen’s NFL pedigree that Mizell is impressed with.
“Coach Boulware was coaching with the Pittsburgh Steelers, so he’s been around some of the top running backs like Najee Harris,” he said. “He knows what it takes to get to the next level. He’s coached great running backs like Joe Mixon, Samaje Perine. I want to surround myself with people like that.”
Mizell’s Official Visit
Mizell also had an amazing time on his official visit to Kentucky on June 16, getting the chance to celebrate his birthday on campus.
“All the coaches showed me love, the whole staff,” he said. “My family was up there, so it was pretty cool. Now I have the opportunity to come in. They need a big running back like me, a big physical running back. I’m going to try and get on the field as soon as possible, try and start as a freshman, and contribute to the team.”
However, the recruiting process wasn’t a breeze for Mizell by any means, having originally committed to Georgia before de-committing in March of 2023.
“Sophomore year was kind of rough,” he said. “But once you get to junior year, you can build more relationships with coaches and actually get the chance to get on campus and interact with them. It’s definitely different and harder to make a decision.”
Tovani Mizell’s Game
Three-star running back Tovani Mizell of Western (FL) is the nation’s No. 489 overall prospect, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 ranks Mizell as the No. 49 running back and the No. 89 overall best player in Florida.
Mizell said his size, speed, and really good hands are a combination unmatched by most running backs.
“There are not a lot of running backs that can run as fast as me that are as versatile as me,” he said. “Those are the biggest strengths of my game, my versatility, being able to play out as a receiver and be in the backfield. I’ve got good vision. I run hard, break a lot of tackles, and I make a lot of people miss.”
Moving forward, Mizell is looking to improve his ball security and run a little bit lower. He also wants to be more patient.
“At the college level, they’re looking to strip the ball a lot, so I’m keeping two hands on the ball,” he said. “Sometimes, I’m not as patient, so I’m working on being more patient and letting the blocks develop. I’m working on all this during the offseason right now so that I can be prepared and ready when my time comes.”
Eyes on the NFL
Mizell is looking towards his time at Kentucky with eyes on the NFL.
“My main goal is to come in as a true freshman, possibly start, and be a first-rounder,” he said. “Do whatever it takes to be a first-rounder in the NFL. I want to lead the SEC in yards and touchdowns, and be a first-round draft pick.”
Last of all, Mizell wants everyone to know that he’s ready to get to work.
“Nobody is going to outwork me,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting on campus and competing for the team. I’m the best running back in my class. I don’t care what the rankings say. I don’t care about any of that. It’s going to show for itself.”
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