LB Dorian Bell (official thread)

[buchtelgrad04]

His change of direction is elite, as already stated. The thing that keeps popping out at me though, is the way he blows up the blocker to get to his target. Block shedding is an underrated skill, but he has it.

[craigblitz]

s the way he blows up the blocker to get to his target. Block shedding is an underrated skill, but he has it.

Fully agree... Great closing speed. Great use of body and hands to get in position to make a tackle.

His film reminds me a lot of Thadeus Gibson's

[wadc45]

Rivals $

4/5

From BWI...Bell, Brown and Rodkey visited PSU on Friday. Talks about his interest in PSU and about the depth issue. Also talks about his interaction with the staff and says he will probably make an official there.

[Buckskin86]

Tradition continues at Gateway
By Tricia Lafferty
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Buzz up!


Gateway has produced some of the top football recruits in the U.S. in recent years.
This season will be no different.

Trying to fill the shoes of All-American linebacker Shayne Hale and running back Cameron Saddler, both Pitt recruits, linebacker Dorian Bell and wide receiver Corey Brown hope to keep Gateway, the WPIAL Class AAAA runner-up in 2007, on the rise this year.

They shouldn't have many problems, considering the duo each reached All-American status after being named to the U.S. Army All-American game that will be played Jan. 3, 2009, in San Antonio. Bell also is considered the No. 14 player in the country and the second-best linebacker, according to rivals.com. The only other WPIAL product on the top 100 list is Montour quarterback E.J. Banks, who is 95th.

Gateway coach Terry Smith said Bell could end up being more highly recruited than Gateway graduate and former Penn State defensive back Justin King, who was considered the nation's No. 1 high school cornerback and will be one of the first cornerbacks drafted into the NFL on April 26.
"It's gonna be close," Smith said. "Justin ended up with 53 offers, and it'll be close. It all depends on how Dorian's recruitment goes. What I mean by that is sometimes a kid finds a school that he likes and shuts down other schools and shuts down other offers."

Bell holds more than 40 offers, and Brown's scholarship count has reached the high 30s. Bell and Brown have visited North Carolina, Ohio State, Maryland, West Virginia, Pitt and Penn State. Visits to Notre Dame and Illinois are planned for next weekend.

Tradition continues at Gateway - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

[schultgb]

Scout $

By Bob L.. talks about Dorian's visit to PSU, where he is worried about depth at LB. Would like the team of his choice to be graduating some LBs. Also went to Pitt's junior day but left early and questions whether he can see himself playing there.


IMO, this article is nothing but positive for tOSU. First of all he volunteers negatives about both schools, which as far as I have read he has never done with the Buckeyes. As far as wanting LBs graduating, our whole starting LB unit could be graduating. I'm shocked he doesn't seem higher on Pitt with both Saddler and Hale on the team.

[RB07OSU]

Not sure if this should go in the rumor thread but there is a lot of smoke on scout boards (free boards) that Dorian favors OSU and is looking to commit fairly early on. Seems like PSU fans think he will be a Buckeye eventually. Regardless it looks like we are in great shape with Dorian Bell and he would be a HUGE commit.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by RB07OSU

Not sure if this should go in the rumor thread but there is a lot of smoke on scout boards (free boards) that Dorian favors OSU and is looking to commit fairly early on. Seems like PSU fans think he will be a Buckeye eventually. Regardless it looks like we are in great shape with Dorian Bell and he would be a HUGE commit.

There has been some talk that it could end at the spring game...

[alpo]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

There has been some talk that it could end at the spring game...

Wouldn't that be nice! Thanks, coach.

[The S&G Dynasty]

[quote=schultgb;1134706;]Scout $

By Bob L.. talks about Dorian's visit to PSU, where he is worried about depth at LB. Would like the team of his choice to be graduating some LBs. Also went to Pitt's junior day but left early and questions whether he can see himself playing there.

If he's worried about depth at LB then why does he favor Ohio State over Penn State. Penn State has Lee and a few other guys, while Ohio State has insane depth at the LB position. If anything he favors us over Penn State because that program is a mess with all of the suspensions and off the field issues. Not to mention the fact that they don't know how long Paterno is going to stick around. And he doesn't like Pitt because there to close to home. Don't know what it is about Pitt but it seems all the elite talent in that area chooses to go elsewhere. Anyways i think it looks good for Ohio State. Just made me laugh when he said he was worried about depth issues at Penn State and then you look at our depth chart. Its really night and day our second and third stringers could start there. No knock on Penn State but thats the kind of talent we have here. With the exception of lee who is senior know one else really jumps out at me. Just my take on the whole thing.

[eobuck]

"Would like the team of his choice to be graduating some LBs"

Well...Only one school on his list starts 3 seniors.

[The S&G Dynasty]

Originally Posted by eobuck

"Would like the team of his choice to be graduating some LBs"

Well...Only one school on his list starts 3 seniors.

True but we have depth behind them. He could come in and get some PT but that's no guarantee. We have Spitler, Homan, Moeller, Sweat, Sabino, hines, Rolle etc. Where if he went to Penn State i would be surprised if he didn't start next year for them. Don't get me wrong i think he will end up with S&G but even with us graduating three senior starters our depth is far superior to Penn State or any team in the Big Ten.

[Buckeyecty4]

Originally Posted by The S&G Dynasty

True but we have depth behind them. He could come in and get some PT but that's no guarantee. We have Spitler, Homan, Moeller, Sweat, Sabino, hines, Rolle etc. Where if he went to Penn State i would be surprised if he didn't start next year for them. Don't get me wrong i think he will end up with S&G but even with us graduating three senior starters our depth is far superior to Penn State or any team in the Big Ten.

I wouldn't trade out our guys for their guys.. but a neutral observer could make a case they have LBs just as good as ours..

Anyway, I think Dorian would jump right into the mix and compete for a starting role at SAM.. I think Sabino is destined for the starting MIKE postion come 2009.. But Bell is a talent that coulld come in and be on equal footing with players like Moeller, Spitler, Hines, Rolle, Homan, and Sweat...

Getting into the 2 deep would be likely IMO..

The moves of Gibson and Johnson to Dline, and the graduation of 3 LBs will definately help us in this recruitment

[OSUnumber45]

OSU has depth at LB, just like almost every big time program, but a lot of it's unproven. We lose all 3 starters after this season so the starting spots are all open. Our staff has shown that we play the best at each position so if Bell is one of the best LB's he will start or see significant PT.

[ePkOoTms]

Good stuff re: Penn State LBs, S&G...

Dorian Bell would have quite an uphill battle if he wanted to start as a freshman at Penn State, however I believe he likely does end up at tOSU and will likely start as a freshman. You'll likely lose your entire 'starting' LB corp in '08 because of the LB with the foot injury [Terry?] likely starting, JL, and whatever other senior gets stuck in there. Penn State will presumably have 2 senior LBs, Sean Lee & Tyrell Sales. Presumably, because Sales is likely to split time if not lose his starting outside spot all together. So guys are going to be seeing time this year at LB, and a true sophomore in Chris Colasanti will be manning the middle with Lee staying outside.

Michael Mauti 4* Louisiana true freshman
Michael Zordich 4* Ohio true freshman
Mike Yancich 4* Pennsylvania true freshman
Brandon Beachum 4* Ohio true freshman [if RB/FB doesn't work out...he'll get his shot at RB as a change of pace/situational rusher in '08]

Chris Colasanti 4* Michigan true sophomore
Nathan Stupar 4* Pennsylvania redshirt freshman
Andrew Dailey 4* Ohio redshirt freshman

Navarro Bowman 4* Maryland redshirt sophomore
Bani Gbadyu 4* Maryland redshirt sophomore

Jerome Hayes 4* New Jersey redshirt Junior [DE, recovering from torn ACL against Wisconsin '07 - could and likely will move to OLB as a senior in '09]

That is NINE FOUR STAR LINEBACKERS...SEVEN if you don't include Hayes on the DL as a true Junior/rs Junior '08 or Brandon Beachum.

That isn't including 4* Sean Lee who is a starter. 4* Tyrell Sales who is likely going to split time. tOSU is going to be starting 3 senior LBs, were going to be starting 1 senior LB full time while RETAINING NINE FOUR STAR LINEBACKERS who are expected to be nothing other than LBs while at Penn State. Your depth at LB is not superior to Penn State's in anyway, with the exception of one 5* LB you've gotten and the other 5* JUCO LB you've had in the past. Add 2 or 3 more LBs not named Dorian Bell for Penn State in '09 and it is easy to see why Bell doesn't want to wait his turn. Dan Mason, Glenn Carson, Carlo Calabrese, Jelani Jenkins, Telvion Clark, Mike Privott, Gerald Hodges, Brandon Killebrew, Jerod Askew...there are many LB prospects out there.

Sorry for taking the focus off of Dorian Bell. He is obviously a great player, but he is a player who believes he is ready to start as a freshman...he knows how to read a depth chart and anyone who looks at all three LB positions and the players who have yet to even get on the field knows it is going to be a dogfight. Colasanti is a lock to start and will likely emerge in the middle, Bani Gbadyu and/or Navarro Bowman are likely to split time with Tyrell Sales so by the time the '08 season is over LBs will have emerged; tOSU will be replacing all three starting LBs and in '08 it will largely be dominated by senior starters.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by alpo

Wouldn't that be nice! Thanks, coach.

Let's not get carried away here