Mizzell making the most of his time in NYC
If there was one player at the New Level 7-on-7 who had quickness and athleticism jump out at you it was Virginia Beach (Va.) running back Taquan Mizzell. Though his squad suffered a last minute defeat to start pool play, the talented recruit promised that the Virginia Thoroughbred team would look much more like they had in previous competitions for the title run.
"It was a little shaky, we came out here late and didn't have time to warm up for our first one," Mizzell said. "We'll get everything together tomorrow. We want great team chemistry and to work together and come out with the victories."
The four-star is part of a talented offensive unit that might be the fastest collection of skill position players in the tournament. Mizzell is ranked as the eighth running back in the country by Maxpreps but is hoping the additional football games allow him to fine tune his skills in preparation for the fall.
"My ability to catch the ball and get up the field faster," he said. "I also want to learn a couple more open field moves and a few other things.
"I'm an all-purpose back that can get the job done. I've gotten bigger so I can pass block, run in-between the tackles, outside the tackles. I can score and play receiver too."
The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder recently cut his list of schools down to 10 with Clemson, Illinois, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio State, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Virginia and Virginia Tech all making the cut. That lengthy list is likely to be trimmed soon but Mizzell isn't quite ready to put a few programs on the chopping block quite yet.
"I want to cut it again in the next few weeks, at least to about five" he said. "I'm going to try and get this decision done before the season starts.
"I know (Virginia) is going to make the cut, I know West Virginia is going to make the cut and I know Clemson is going to make the cut. I'm going to try and sort out the other schools."
Virginia has done a good job of securing in-state talent over the past few years and have a very good shot at keeping Mizzell home. One of the biggest reasons the Cavs are a major player for the No. 93 overall player in the class of 2013 is the man at the top of the program.
"It's my relationship with Coach (Mike) London. With other coaches, it seems like all they talk about is football but with Coach London, he doesn't talk just about football, he talks about making me a better person on and off the field," Mizzell said. "He's just real. I like coach a lot."
Mizzell added that he hasn't talked at length with coach Dana Holgorsen yet but the Mountaineers other staff members have him excited about the prospect of fitting into the big play offense.
"I mostly talk to the running backs coach and the recruiting coordinator," Mizzell said. "Our relationship is really good. They tell me how they want to use me (on offense) in a lot of good ways."
The other school to make the cut, Clemson, sent several assistants to stop by the running back's school during the evaluation period to explain his fit in the Tigers offense and keeps in regular touch as well.
