Florida’s offense has struggled to find the scoreboard over the last two weeks, combining for just two touchdowns vs USF and LSU. Most of the issues stem from sophomore quarterback DJ Lagway and Florida’s passing offense, which simply can’t seem to find any rhythm.
On a positive note, one wide receiver stood out amongst the rest vs. LSU: redshirt sophomore Aidan Mizell. The 6’1.5, 185-pound receiver caught the lone touchdown in the game on one of Lagway’s better passes on the 2025 season.
During a critical 3rd and nine with Florida down 10-3 before halftime, Mizell runs an out route to the corner of the end zone before making an incredible over the shoulder catch for a touchdown. The refs also missed a blatant facemask on the LSU defender as Mizell was securing the pass.
“I feel like it was great going to an away stadium, getting a touchdown catch. My first of the year,” Mizell said on his touchdown. “I feel like that’s great confidence for me, DJ, you feel me this team, I feel like we’ve got to again just add on, just be more consistent.”
Later in the game during another must convert series, Mizell comes up big once again. On 2nd and 18 with Florida down 20-10, Mizell runs a deep crosser before coming down with a beautiful pass from Lagway in tight coverage.
“We needed to get the first. I’ve seen the linebacker kind of stay stagnant, so I tried to go, we do this things where we go under the first and over the second and I just tried to get depth and width and just get past the first down,” Mizell said on the 22-yard reception. “When I’ve seen the ball up there it kind of shocked me for a second and I just went up there and grabbed it.”
Across 32 snaps, which is roughly half a games worth, Mizell has combined for five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown in two games played. Mizell has caught five of his six targets on the season, four of which have gone for first downs. DJ Lagway’s passer rating when targeting Mizell is 107.6, the highest amongst Gators’ receivers with more than 20 snaps.
“I feel like me and DJ have great chemistry. I feel like people see that on the field,” Mizell said.
That chemistry was evident last season too. In a year where Mizell had snaps with three different quarterbacks, the second-year receiver caught both of his touchdowns from Lagway, each of them for 40+ yards.
Entering the 2025 season it was unclear what kind of role Mizell would have in the offense. Florida is loaded at wide receiver with a mix of experienced and young talent across the board. Through three games, it’s clear that Mizell needs to be on the field more often as he’s making highlight reel plays and appears to be Lagway’s most reliable target.
However, it hasn’t quite been as simple as just giving Mizell more snaps. The third-year receiver has been on and off the field with injuries throughout his career. Mizell missed the season opener vs. LIU with a lower body injury he suffered during fall camp before returning against USF and logging 18 snaps. After his touchdown catch vs LSU, Mizell suffered another minor injury.
“I’m a little banged up. Just some little stuff happened after I scored the touchdown, but nothing too bad,” Mizell said on Wednesday. “It looks bad, but, I mean, it’s hard when people don’t know everything that’s going on behind the scenes. A lot of people get blamed for this and that.”
There’s no doubt the competition in the wide receiver room is fierce, and the battle for playing time will only get harder when freshman Dallas Wilson returns from injury.
“I just feel like we’re always working. I’m not really even thinking about playing time throughout the week. I’m thinking about this rep, this play, making sure I get it memorized for the game,” Mizell said on his playing time.
Regardless of competition in the wide receiver room, Mizell has made the case for more playing time in week four vs Miami. Lagway seems more comfortable when Mizell is on the field, especially on third downs and high-pressure situations.
“I guess in becoming a third down guy, which is great,” Mizell said. “I feel like I’m someone that I can be relied on, and I feel like I showed that for this program.”