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Muizz Tounkara is a three-star wide receiver from League City, Texas. Initially committed to play for the University of Arizona, Tounkara decommitted shortly after his official visit to Florida on November 25th, 2024.
Tounkara later signed with Florida on December 4th, 2024.
Learn more about him on a personal level in this edition of Getting to Know.
FOOTBALL/RECRUITING
Take us through the process that led to your commitment. What was that experience like for you?
“The process started when I got offered and then they wanted me to come on an official visit. I was always down for that, so I came on an OV for the Ole Miss game and when I got there, I was showing mad love. The atmosphere of the game really checked out the people, environment, and competition everybody, as you know, wants to be the best. The quarterback playing too, I knew I would be good for the next four to five years.”
Which school came in second for you and why?
“Well, I was committed to Arizona first and then flipped to Florida later in the season.”
What was the craziest, strangest, or weirdest moment of the recruiting cycle?
“Last year’s spring ball I got offers like back-to-back every single day and that really surprised me. It was just crazy.”
If there is one thing you could change about the recruiting process, what would it be?
“No, really nothing. I was blessed to receive all the offers I had, so I would not change anything. I feel like I did everything right.”
If you could play a sport outside of football, which sport would it be?
“Definitely basketball, but in high school I didn’t want to focus on that anymore.”
What is your favorite football memory?
“It was this year in playoffs round one even though we lost, I had one of the best games in my whole life. I had six catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns, and one touchdown was in overtime, so that was my best memory in high school football.”
What would you say are some of your greatest strengths as a football player?
“Always being open and a good route runner and my speed as a player.”
What is the most appealing part to you about the University of Florida?
“The environment, it’s really a college-like atmosphere you know some schools really don’t have that. I’m excited to make my first college catch when I get there.”
What do you really need to work on the most when you get to Florida?
“Anything I can do to get better and in therapy, just learning everything and understanding the process.”
Who is the prospect that you have talked to the most from the Class of 2025?
“Vernell Brown III, that’s my guy. He checks in on the daily, talking about life and everything.”
Who are you looking most forward to either playing with or maybe going against in practice?
“Cormani McClain, he has a lot of hype around him and I’ve seen and heard that he’s a really good player too. Going against him, first, because I grew up watching him, he was a five-star, one of the best corners in the class. It’s crazy to be competing against him one day. That’s one dude I am excited to go against.”
PERSONAL
What is your major?
“Sports Management because it’s really giving back when I’m an adult.”
If you had a chance for a one-on-one conversation with just one person, who would it be with?
“LeBron James because I would love to talk with him.”
What would be your first purchase if you got drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft?
“Give my parents the life they deserve but with my other money probably a house or a car.”
What is one item that you cannot live without it?
“My phone. I am addicted to it.”
What is your favorite professional football team/player?
“The Ravens because of Lamar Jackson, I don’t watch a lot of NFL but I’ve been following him
since college, so wherever he goes I just follow.”
Who has been the biggest role model for you in your life?
“With football my brother, because he’s seen and done it and my parents of course, really
taught me how to be myself and how to act on a daily basis. My brother taught me how to do stuff on
and off the field because you know he’s my big brother.”
Is there a person, sports personality or not, that has had an influence on your life?
“My football trainers, we train a lot about football, but we also talk about life and how to carry
myself as a player.”
You’re given the AUX chord for the locker room before a practice or big game, what is the
go-to song you’re playing?
“Probably ‘Come on Let’s Go’ by Screwly G.”
What is your favorite movie?
“All time is Fast and Furious.”
What is your favorite TV show?
“The Bernie Mac Show.”
What is your favorite flavor of Gatorade?
“Cool Blue Gatorade.”
What wild animal would you be, and why?
“I would be a cheetah because they are super-fast.”
What are you looking forward to in college outside of football?
“Really seeing how class is compared to high school.”
What do you look for in a good college roommate? Any idea who yours will be?
“I’m rooming with Onis Konanbanny the DB from my class, but what I look for really is just
being clean. I don’t like being around dirty people.”
If you could have dinner with three people from any point in history, who would they be?
“Martin Luther King Jr., LeBron James, and Dwayne Johnson.”
What are three things on your bucket list?
“Graduating from UF, going into the NFL, and repaying my parents back. Those are my top
three.”
What is one thing about you that the Gator Nation would be surprised to find out about?
“Maybe not the best answer, but I’m taller than I look. Everyone expects me to look 6-foot-1 but in
person, people say I look like I’m 6-foot-7 and I’m only 6-foot-4.”
What do you want people to think when they hear the name “Muizz Tounkara” five years
from now?
“As a person, I want to be good to everybody and help people. I want to be a leader and give
back to the community. As a player, I want to be one of the best receivers that came through UF
and then be the best in the NFL one day.”
What is your favorite quality in a teammate?
“Someone who can crack a joke but also who is serious. When it’s time to be serious that’s
important.”
Favorite meal to cook?
“I love steak and shrimp. So if me and the homies ever need some food I can cook something up
real quick.”
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