LB Dorian Bell (official thread)

[Buckskin86]

Gateway's Bell adjusting to spotlight
By Tricia Lafferty
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 21, 2007

After playing just one full varsity season, he's earned scholarship offers from Boston College, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt and West Virginia, among others. When Alabama coach Nick Saban visited Gateway to take a look at Hale, Smith popped in one of Bell's highlight tapes, and Saban offered Bell on the spot.

"Dorian is the best all-around athlete I have coached," Smith said. "He's a kid that can dunk a basketball any way you ask him. He runs a 4.5 40; 210 pounds that will hit you like a truck. He can catch a football. He can throw a football 60 yards in the air. He can play tailback, tight end, receiver. He can play any skill position."

Bell will play a bit of tight end this season, but he probably will shine more at linebacker.

"I need to go (to a college where) I'll get playing time," Bell said. "I want to start as a freshman.

"Maybe I can go beyond that college and go to the NFL. I want people watching me on Sundays."

Gateway's Bell adjusting to spotlight - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[SweetBuckeye]

I'm not crazy about the "I want to go where I can start as a Freshman" comment.

Sounds like a great goal to have as long as its not a requirement.
Tressel will never promise something like that, unfortunately others will.

[wadc45]

I am not either...every kid thinks they are good enough to walk in and start from Day 1 anymore. How often does that really happen? Most of these kids have no idea what they are in for when they step on campus.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

8/28

From the BC site...great intro into Dorian with quotes from Coach Smith.

[OWUBuckeye51]

Originally Posted by wadc45

I am not either...every kid thinks they are good enough to walk in and start from Day 1 anymore. How often does that really happen? Most of these kids have no idea what they are in for when they step on campus.

If my darn PC w/ Internet Explorer 8 would let me rep you, I would. Every kid thinks they are good enough to start from day one, the reality is maybe 5% of all college freshman are physically and mentally ready for the grind.

I know I wasn't...when you are 17 or 18, your priorities are ever-evolving. It takes a talented, special kid w/ an incredible support system of friends and family to make a successful transition. Dorian may be able to make that shift...but the statistics aren't in his favor.

[OSUBuckeye4Life]

Bucknuts $

09/05

Bell recieved his written offer from Ohio State. He was excited to get the offer.

Seems genuine with is enthusiasm for the offer.

[cheetah]

From a Keystone Recruiting/Pittsburgh Sports Report article posted on here a few weeks ago:

"He can fly, has excellent athleticism, and is tough as nails. Bell also has the frame to add a lot more weight. He will definitely be one of the best linebacker prospects in the country in 2009."

On Corey Brown:

"On offense, 6'0" 180 pound COREY BROWN combines good speed with off-the-charts athleticism and ball skills. There may be 6'4" receivers across the country that could get more offers because of their size, but few will be as good as Brown, who will still have plenty of offers to choose from."

[osugrad21]

Excellent offer and another versatile athlete. It will be interesting to see if PSU gets consideration from Gateway kids in 09.

[buzzy420]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Same high school as 2008 prospect Shayne Hale.

As well as current Penn State players Justin King and Jon Ditto. Coach Terry Smith has been developing some good players lately, but he isn't steering them all to his own college coach in Happy Valley.

[cheetah]

And highly recruited Aaron Smith is at Pitt, further proof that Terry Smith does not steer players to PSU.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

9/14

From the OSU site...talks about his season and what position he might project at in college. Has offers from Akron, Ohio State, West Virginia, Pitt, Penn State and Rutgers and talks about possibly playing with Corey Brown in college.

[osugrad21]

Pittsburgh Gazette

High praise
Terry Smith has produced a number of Division I college players in his time at Gateway, but here is what he had to say about linebacker Dorian Bell, who is 6 feet 1, 215 pounds, after Friday's 32-20 victory against Upper St. Clair:
"He's phenomenal. He's truly big time. He's the best football player I've ever coached."

[RB07OSU]

I'm really hoping us cooling on Hale doesn't effect our status with Bell, though I'm guessing it likely does. Both he and Corey Brown would be great pickups in '09.

[Mrknowitall]

is there any film on this recruit? I have heard good things

[wadc45]

Rivals $

11/21

By Steve Hare from the ND site...offers from Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Illinois and Tennessee. Mentions interest in Rutgers, OSU, Michigan, Florida and possibly ND.