Ronnie Bell Commits To Michigan
TMI's Brice Marich reports that Park Hill (MO) wide receiver Ronnie Bell has committed to Michigan:
Kansas City (MO.) Park Hill Ronnie Bell was slated to play basketball for the Missouri State Bears, but decided to pursue football and a few weeks later, he landed his biggest offer to date from Michigan. It didn't long for him to ponder the scholarship offer as he pledged to the Wolverines on Monday night.
Bell added his offer on Saturday. I assume because he was expected to play hoops in college, nobody's done a full scouting report yet; Rivals just created his profile, ESPN hasn't even gotten that far, and 247 only has articles since the Michigan offer went out. Bell has some impressive film, though, and numbers to match:
It's somewhat hard to believe that up until December 14, this year's Simone Award winner, given each year to the top football player in the Kansas City metro, was all set to play basketball in college.
That was the case for Ronnie Bell, a talented member of Team Rush (AAU) and once Missouri State commitment. Yet in a stunning announcement, Bell did what football fans had been hoping for since September by rescinding that verbal pledge, officially opening the door to college football.
Well, as you might've guessed, it didn't take long for programs to come calling on the Park Hill Trojan.
After catching 89 passes for 1,605 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior, Bell held an offer from Jim Harbaugh and Michigan within two days of being on the market.
Bell is the 18th commit in the 2018 class and the second in two days following in-state ATH Ben VanSumeren. I'll have a full Hello post on him tomorrow, hopefully after some more evaluations are posted. At first glance, it looks like Michigan got in early on an unheralded football talent. Expect him to finish higher than his current composite ranking of #1517 overall.
December 19th, 2017 at 7:47 AM ^
Steve Largent says hello...
One of the slowest WRs in the history of the NFL. Also one of the best. The term 'route artisan' was created to explain how someone so (relatively) slow could be so open on any given play.
December 19th, 2017 at 3:33 PM ^
Jerry Rice ran a 4.7 40. It's a lot faster than I can run, but for an NFL WR, it's meh. He's 6-2, so it's not like he was a giant. And I believe he might've done a thing or two in his career. Working your ass off to run good routes for a great QB is one path to the Hall.
December 18th, 2017 at 11:26 PM ^
If u run precise routes, the separation wil come.
December 19th, 2017 at 9:57 AM ^
"Reports of his 'frailty' are greatly exagerated." Look at his BB clips-his weight is just fine for playing WR. He is a three star because he does not have elite top end speed. But, again, look at his BB clips...this kid is quick upon quick. He will play in the slot-I'm sure...good luck to any LB that gets isolated on him-he likely won't touch him yet alone tackle him. Additionally, as others have noted, he made a lot of remarkable catches for a HS player.
December 18th, 2017 at 10:15 PM ^
and body control are very very good, but it does look like he has some limitations with acceleration and hip mobility. He has good hands and some nifty footwork so although he may not have potential NFL athleticism he could be a very solid college player.
December 18th, 2017 at 10:32 PM ^
Totally agree on his body control and we haven't had a WR who can leap and make catches like that since Roundtree/Hemmingway, who I think are faster than Bell. At 6'1'' I'm not sure he'll be able to pull that off against taller college CBs. If he can change directions well I think he could do damage in the slot against safties. I'd be interested to hear his shuttle time
December 19th, 2017 at 9:24 AM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 9:45 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 10:30 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 9:47 PM ^
Hello Ronnie Bell. I'd like you to meet Shea and Brandon.
December 19th, 2017 at 12:14 AM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 9:53 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 9:59 PM ^
...who believe he is slow, I think his long stride conceals a bit of his speed.
December 19th, 2017 at 12:25 AM ^
I think his 40 time confirms he is slow.
December 19th, 2017 at 12:35 AM ^
People would only believe this excuse if he was white /s
December 18th, 2017 at 10:23 PM ^
December 18th, 2017 at 10:32 PM ^
Ronnie. Go Blue.
December 18th, 2017 at 10:36 PM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 9:15 AM ^
I saw the same thing and definitely mean it as a positive. Great body control and catches everything softly with his hands.
December 19th, 2017 at 10:32 AM ^
if you look at Rivals we have remarkably similar classes. I'm not sure if that is good or bad.
December 19th, 2017 at 12:02 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 12:02 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 12:05 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 12:07 AM ^
He is a SAF (slow as f#$%), look at the DB's: pee wee sized, a lil shifty wont work against OSU, MSU better athletes and better coached. My take based on flimsy evidence special teams, garbage time, switch to DB and than a transfer. My gues they missed on A,B,C took a project. Sorry but this recruiting class sucks. And yes my username checks out.
December 19th, 2017 at 12:07 AM ^
He is a SAF (slow as f#$%), look at the DB's: pee wee sized, a lil shifty wont work against OSU, MSU better athletes and better coached. My take based on flimsy evidence special teams, garbage time, switch to DB and than a transfer. My gues they missed on A,B,C took a project. Sorry but this recruiting class sucks. And yes my username checks out.
December 19th, 2017 at 12:13 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 12:17 AM ^
truth hurts. i used to br a michigan fan when they played football. 17 years and waiting. starting to gray a little.
December 19th, 2017 at 12:17 AM ^
truth hurts. i used to br a michigan fan when they played football. 17 years and waiting. starting to gray a little.
December 19th, 2017 at 12:40 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 8:27 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 8:22 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 9:57 AM ^
You only have to click "save" once.
December 19th, 2017 at 1:08 AM ^
Wow you must have no life
December 19th, 2017 at 8:24 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 12:22 AM ^
I agree i expect him to finish higher he might jump to 1500 in rankings.
December 19th, 2017 at 1:17 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 7:52 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
The fan base.
December 19th, 2017 at 1:24 AM ^
After watching his highlights I think he's pretty darn good. And I was dancing to the German techno in his film. Weiter so.
December 19th, 2017 at 2:23 AM ^
I don't care what level of competition that was. He made a ton of damn great catches. He also really knows how to set up blocks, so he seems to excel at screen passes.
Now, will he be fast/quick enough to get open in FBS football? No idea. 6-1 170, so the kid needs some weight room work. But that film makes it clear that if he can get open, and someone can get the ball anywhere close to him, he will catch it.
December 19th, 2017 at 3:31 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 9:31 AM ^
Maybe a half step slower but similar elusiveness and style... and better hands than Breaston
December 19th, 2017 at 6:51 AM ^
I sure hope Big John gives him #27!
December 19th, 2017 at 7:38 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 8:02 AM ^
I love this kids ability to stop on the dime, change direction, and get back up to full speed within 3 steps. This is how YAC happens and you can't coach that. With the receivers Harbaugh got last year he can afford to take a flier on this guy. I'd love to eventually see what he can do returning punts too.
December 19th, 2017 at 8:32 AM ^
Most natural WR in this class
I played football collegiately, coached collegiately, and coached 6 years in high school.
High school kids (and most collegiate players) do not high point the ball as consistently as Bell.
Also impressed with his adjustments to the ball in the air. This is a very good get.
December 19th, 2017 at 8:39 AM ^
December 19th, 2017 at 9:17 AM ^
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