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ronnie bell

Ronnie Bell Commits To Michigan Comment Count

Ace

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.

Comments

Brimley

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.

Joined: 03/22/2011

MGoPoints: 11658

outsidethebox

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.

Joined: 01/23/2017

MGoPoints: 18816

EconClassof14

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 

Joined: 07/16/2013

MGoPoints: 891

AFWolverine

December 18th, 2017 at 9:45 PM ^

1,517. The number of yards he'll accumulate against OSU and State in the 3 seasons he will compete against them. Because he's going pro after his redshirt junior year. It's an omen.

Joined: 01/11/2011

MGoPoints: 7168

blueday

December 18th, 2017 at 10:23 PM ^

To all so called "fans" that sell their tickets for rival games then come here and preach fan righteousness and know everything about football. Just support your team and the young men that commit. Really?

Joined: 11/04/2014

MGoPoints: 6493

Perkis-Size Me

December 18th, 2017 at 10:36 PM ^

If he’s good enough for Harbaugh he’s good enough for all of us. Plenty of guys come out of nowhere as middling 2-3 star guys and light it up in college and beyond. They just need to find the right system and have a coach who knows how to maximize their strengths.

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 105503

bka01

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.

Joined: 12/18/2017

MGoPoints: -148

bka01

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.

Joined: 12/18/2017

MGoPoints: -148

bka01

December 19th, 2017 at 8:27 AM ^

Yes Michigan football used to be good. I read the posts and articles andyou act like your elite. Whenever someone puts reality in view. You resort to insults, instead of being adults. It's cool, but again 17 years and waiting for what used to be a great team to watch.

Joined: 12/18/2017

MGoPoints: -148

bka01

December 19th, 2017 at 8:22 AM ^

Yes Michigan football used to be good. I read the posts and articles you act like your elite, but whenever someone puts realityin view. You resort to insults, instead of being adults. It's cool, but again 17 years and waiting for what used to be a great team to watch.

Joined: 12/18/2017

MGoPoints: -148

JamieH

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.

Joined: 09/05/2009

MGoPoints: 28331

MGoTakedown

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.

Joined: 03/25/2017

MGoPoints: 4463

DStamper22

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.

Joined: 10/01/2008

MGoPoints: 230