Film Evaluation: Gateway's Dorien Bell
College football coaches and fans across the country are now fully focused on the evaluation and recruitment of top high school juniors for their respective schools. With 25 (or more) scholarships available for the class of 2009 Penn State coaches will be casting a wide net in attempt to lure the best possible prospects to Happy Valley. In this new feature contributors to Laschout.com will be evaluating highlight film from various recruits across the country who have caught the eye of Penn State fans. First up in the Laschout evaluations is Gateway LB Dorian Bell.
Early on Bell is considered by most "experts" as being one of, if not the top prospect in Pennsylvania. Bell is 6'1 205 lbs and reportedly runs a 4.5 forty. Bell boasts some great offers including Penn State, Ohio State, Florida State. North Carolina, and Alabama. As of this time Bell is considered a 5 star prospect in both major ratings services.
AIW-HS's Take on Dorian Bell:
Dorian Bell is an quick, athletic LB who has a nose for the ball. A natural OLB, Bell uses his quickness to defeat blockers in order to get to the ball carrier. He also shows pretty good ability to play in space and shows the potential to be effective in his drops into pass coverage.
However I do not feel that Bell is a 5 star caliber LB. Size notwithstanding, I do not feel that Bell is a truly explosive playmaker on defense. He just doesn't make enough plays for my liking. He certainly is a very good prospect but 5 star status is reserved for the truly elite. True 5 star LBs just pop out at you when you watch them on video. The "wow" factor should come into play with 5 star kids. Bell is not that elite.
He actually reminds me a lot of current Penn State LB Bani Gbadyu. Being compared to Bani Gbadyu is not meant to be a slight on Dorian Bell. They are nearly identical in size and build. Bell may be a little more instinctive than Gbadyu, yet is less athletic (few LBs anywhere are as athletic an Bani Gbadyu). Bani was a 4 star recruit when he committed to Penn State two years ago. That is about where I would place Bell as well. There is nothing wrong with being a 4 star recruit. Bell should be a kid who is a 4 star recruit and a national Top 250 player. He isn't a Top 100 player nationally.
Along with his lofty current national rankings, Bell is considered by many to be the top player in the state of Pennsylvania. Again, after watching his film I do not believe that he is the best player in the state. It is a little too early to make that statement about anyone in the PA Class of 2009. There is no clear cut #1 in PA this year as there was with Terrelle Pryor last year. Bell certainly will be in the top 5 or so but there are better, more dynamic
players in PA who have greater impacts on football games.
From a Penn State perspective Bell is certainly worthy of an early scholarship offer. He has the makings of a good college player. LB is certainly not a position of great need for Penn State in the class of 2009 and it doesn't appear as if many LBs will receive scholarship offers. The numbers game at PSU may well factor into Bell's decision. Tom Bradley will have to work hard to garner a commitment from Bell as he will have a ton of serious suitors.
Many times in recruiting perception is reality. Right now Bell is perceived by many to be at the top of his class in PA. For that reason alone it is important that Penn State lands Dorian Bell. In order to be a true elite program (which PSU is not right now) they need to keep all top end in state prospects home. Bell, although he is not as good as advertised, is one of those top in state prospects. Penn State needs him and needs to have him as a member of its class of 2009.
17's Take on Dorian Bell
Upside: Speed, Speed, and more Speed. Simply said, Dorian Bell is a heat seeking missile in shoulder pads and it only takes a few minutes of film before you realize he's the real deal. Dorian exhibits many of the traits you want to see out of a young LB. He's athletic, aggressive and takes good angles to the ball. I am also impressed with his ability to control his speed and not take himself out of plays. Additionally he excels in pass coverage, a skill lost upon many high school backers. I've had the opportunity to watch Dorian several times and have always come away impressed by his knack to be around the ball and make plays. Shayne Hale received all the hype, but in my eyes Dorian Bell is a much better prospect.
Downside: Bell will need to work on his tackling form. This isn't much of a shock as that is a common problem with many kids coming from the high school ranks. Bell likes to tackle high and that won't fly when he starts to play with the big boys. Another potential red flag is his size. Bell is listed as 6-1, 205 which in my eyes is smallish for a LB. More than likely he will be able to put on weight, but if not he may end up as a safety in the college ranks.
Rankings: Most recruiting services rank Bell as the #1 player in PA. On a national scale Bell is considered a Top 25 prospect with a 5 star ranking from both the Scout and Rivals Recruiting Services. Bell also was named to the Fab 22 Team by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and the Terrific 25 by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Finally he was selected 1st team All State AAAA as a LB.
Junior Year Stats: 131 tackles (led team), 25 TFL, 11 sacks, 9 passes breakups, and 1 INT.
Offers: You name them he has them. Alabama, Boston College, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Penn State, and Virginia Tech are just a few of his offers.
Final Analysis: If there is a better player in the PA Class of 2009, I have yet to see him. In my opinion Bell is a legit 5 star and deserves the lofty accolades he has received to this point. Dorian had an outstanding junior season and I expect him to build on that his senior year. In terms of a scholarship offer, this was an easy decision for the Penn State staff. While the depth chart has talent at LB, you never want to miss out on a talent like Bell. Additionally, it's important for Penn State to have some wins in the WPA recruiting scene and there would be none bigger than pulling in Bell.
Early on Bell is considered by most "experts" as being one of, if not the top prospect in Pennsylvania. Bell is 6'1 205 lbs and reportedly runs a 4.5 forty. Bell boasts some great offers including Penn State, Ohio State, Florida State. North Carolina, and Alabama. As of this time Bell is considered a 5 star prospect in both major ratings services.
AIW-HS's Take on Dorian Bell:
Dorian Bell is an quick, athletic LB who has a nose for the ball. A natural OLB, Bell uses his quickness to defeat blockers in order to get to the ball carrier. He also shows pretty good ability to play in space and shows the potential to be effective in his drops into pass coverage.
However I do not feel that Bell is a 5 star caliber LB. Size notwithstanding, I do not feel that Bell is a truly explosive playmaker on defense. He just doesn't make enough plays for my liking. He certainly is a very good prospect but 5 star status is reserved for the truly elite. True 5 star LBs just pop out at you when you watch them on video. The "wow" factor should come into play with 5 star kids. Bell is not that elite.
He actually reminds me a lot of current Penn State LB Bani Gbadyu. Being compared to Bani Gbadyu is not meant to be a slight on Dorian Bell. They are nearly identical in size and build. Bell may be a little more instinctive than Gbadyu, yet is less athletic (few LBs anywhere are as athletic an Bani Gbadyu). Bani was a 4 star recruit when he committed to Penn State two years ago. That is about where I would place Bell as well. There is nothing wrong with being a 4 star recruit. Bell should be a kid who is a 4 star recruit and a national Top 250 player. He isn't a Top 100 player nationally.
Along with his lofty current national rankings, Bell is considered by many to be the top player in the state of Pennsylvania. Again, after watching his film I do not believe that he is the best player in the state. It is a little too early to make that statement about anyone in the PA Class of 2009. There is no clear cut #1 in PA this year as there was with Terrelle Pryor last year. Bell certainly will be in the top 5 or so but there are better, more dynamic
players in PA who have greater impacts on football games.
From a Penn State perspective Bell is certainly worthy of an early scholarship offer. He has the makings of a good college player. LB is certainly not a position of great need for Penn State in the class of 2009 and it doesn't appear as if many LBs will receive scholarship offers. The numbers game at PSU may well factor into Bell's decision. Tom Bradley will have to work hard to garner a commitment from Bell as he will have a ton of serious suitors.
Many times in recruiting perception is reality. Right now Bell is perceived by many to be at the top of his class in PA. For that reason alone it is important that Penn State lands Dorian Bell. In order to be a true elite program (which PSU is not right now) they need to keep all top end in state prospects home. Bell, although he is not as good as advertised, is one of those top in state prospects. Penn State needs him and needs to have him as a member of its class of 2009.
17's Take on Dorian Bell
Upside: Speed, Speed, and more Speed. Simply said, Dorian Bell is a heat seeking missile in shoulder pads and it only takes a few minutes of film before you realize he's the real deal. Dorian exhibits many of the traits you want to see out of a young LB. He's athletic, aggressive and takes good angles to the ball. I am also impressed with his ability to control his speed and not take himself out of plays. Additionally he excels in pass coverage, a skill lost upon many high school backers. I've had the opportunity to watch Dorian several times and have always come away impressed by his knack to be around the ball and make plays. Shayne Hale received all the hype, but in my eyes Dorian Bell is a much better prospect.
Downside: Bell will need to work on his tackling form. This isn't much of a shock as that is a common problem with many kids coming from the high school ranks. Bell likes to tackle high and that won't fly when he starts to play with the big boys. Another potential red flag is his size. Bell is listed as 6-1, 205 which in my eyes is smallish for a LB. More than likely he will be able to put on weight, but if not he may end up as a safety in the college ranks.
Rankings: Most recruiting services rank Bell as the #1 player in PA. On a national scale Bell is considered a Top 25 prospect with a 5 star ranking from both the Scout and Rivals Recruiting Services. Bell also was named to the Fab 22 Team by the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and the Terrific 25 by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. Finally he was selected 1st team All State AAAA as a LB.
Junior Year Stats: 131 tackles (led team), 25 TFL, 11 sacks, 9 passes breakups, and 1 INT.
Offers: You name them he has them. Alabama, Boston College, Florida State, Michigan, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Penn State, and Virginia Tech are just a few of his offers.
Final Analysis: If there is a better player in the PA Class of 2009, I have yet to see him. In my opinion Bell is a legit 5 star and deserves the lofty accolades he has received to this point. Dorian had an outstanding junior season and I expect him to build on that his senior year. In terms of a scholarship offer, this was an easy decision for the Penn State staff. While the depth chart has talent at LB, you never want to miss out on a talent like Bell. Additionally, it's important for Penn State to have some wins in the WPA recruiting scene and there would be none bigger than pulling in Bell.
Very nice. More of this stuff, please.
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you spelled his name wrong
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I thought of Bani immediately when I saw Bell's videos. A solid 4 star prospect blitzing type LB.
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