The Red and Black picked up their 13th commitment for the class of 2022 this evening with the announcement by three star Houston (Kincaid) receiver Dillon Bell that he’ll play his college football in Athens.
Bell isn’t the highest-rated recruit in the Bulldogs’ 2022 class. In fact, he’s among the lowest, pegged as the #74 receiver in the nation and #563 player nationally in the 247Sports composite. But I think Bell’s offer list is instructive. In addition to Georgia he’s picked up tenders from Michigan, Tennessee, Penn State, Texas A&M, Louisville, Ole Miss, and Auburn among others.
What do all those schools see in the 6’2, 205 pound rising senior. Here’s an idea:
Bell stands out both for his ability to find and high point the ball in the downfield passing game and his smoothness in the screen game. That’s a combo not every young receiver has. The closest analog on the current Bulldog roster to my mind would be Kearis Jackson, who plays bigger than his 6’0 height.
Bell’s high school coaches clearly know to get the ball in their best ball handler’s hands, as these highlights showcase a guy who’s comfortable at tailback or even Wildcat quarterback. In the open field Bell looks more like a big one cut tailback on the loose than a receiver. That’s a powerful skill set in Todd Monken’s offense, which looks to get guys like Bell Open in space.
Bell joins North Cobb’s De’Nylon Morrissette as the second receiver commit for 2022, and I’d expect the ‘Dawgs to add at least one more (possibly two, and even three if you count a “hybrid” player like Arik Gilbert or Brock Bowers).
Bottom line, Kirby & Co. just picked up a physically gifted, productive player who slots really well into their evolving offense. Until later...
Go ‘Dawgs!!!