'09 PA ATH Dorian Bell (Ohio State Signee)

[wadc45]

BN $

4/16

By BK...talks about how excited he is for his visit to OSU this weekend.

[wadc45]

Bucknuts $

04/19

By Bill Kurelic.....Bell enjoyed his visit and was VERY close to giving a commitment. He is now up to 36 offers.

Rivals $

4/20

Talks about his experience at the Spring Game. Analyst basically says that Bell is going to be a Buckeye.

[GoRU]

Recruiting: WPIAL QB commits to Terps; LB is close to joining Buckeyes

Gateway linebacker Dorian Bell, ranked among the top 20 players in the country, visited Ohio State this weekend and Gateway coach Terry Smith said Bell is "close" to committing to the Buckeyes.

"He loves the place, but he did not commit yet," Smith said. "His dad and uncle were with him on the visit. He just wants to talk with his mom about it."

There is a chance Bell might commit as early as today, when an Ohio State assistant coach is supposed to visit Gateway. Bell has scholarship offers from more than 30 schools.

Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Michigan and Florida State are among the schools that have offered Bell, a member of the Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 last year.

"I'd say it's 50-50 that he might commit now [to Ohio State]," Smith said.

If Bell chooses Ohio State, it would mean the Buckeyes have landed the top highest-ranked player in the WPIAL two consecutive years. Jeannette senior quarterback Terrelle Pryor signed with Ohio State last month.

[wadc45]

Scout $

4/21

From Bob L....committed to OSU.

[wadc45]

ESPN - Linebackers aplenty at Penn State Nike Camp - Insider

ILB Dorian Bell (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway)
Bell certainly passes the eye test and can run like the wind. He is on the shorter side but possesses a sturdy build and great feet. He wasn't as active or into the drills as much as we expected, but when he wants to turn it on, look out.

[HotMic]

Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Gateway star Bell focused on winning

Gateway star Bell focused on winning

By Dan Stefano
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, August 10, 2008


Dorian Bell is glad he has been able to focus on football and family this summer -- not the mailman. Since the senior all-state linebacker at Gateway made a verbal commitment to Ohio State in April, the waves of recruiting letters that had been crashing in his mailbox have started to recede, and Bell has enjoyed his offseason without the pressure of facing a life-altering choice.
Continued...

[wadc45]

Blue Chip Chat with ... Dorian Bell

Tuesday, August 12, 2008
By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Bill Wade/Post-GazetteSCHOOL: Gateway

POSITION: RB-LB

HEIGHT: 6-1

WEIGHT: 225

THE SKINNY: Coach Terry Smith calls him the "best football player to come from Gateway ever." Some scouting services rank Bell among the top linebackers in the country. As a junior, had 131 tackles, including 25 for losses. Also had 11 sacks. Will add halfback to his chores this season after playing tight end last year.

Continued...

[wadc45]

ESPN - Te'o, Telfort hold down top spots in 2009 OLB rankings - Football Recruiting

Te'o and Jenkins are both top-10 overall prospects in our recently released ESPNU 150 and currently are two of the most coveted, undecided defenders in the country. Dorian Bell (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) possesses a similar ability to disrupt the offense's game plan, holds the label of being the top-rated player in his respective state, but is different because he made his commitment several months ago. The future Buckeye has already packed on impressive size from a year ago, when he terrorized opponents with his elite explosiveness and first-step quickness off the edge. He has game-changing closing speed, burst on the perimeter and is the type of defender Big Ten offensive coordinators will need to game plan around. Bell is a fierce hitter, and a kid whose motor never gears down on the football field.

[wadc45]

ESPN - Exodus of Pa.'s top prospects has PSU and Pitt looking elsewhere - Football Recruiting

Top recruit

Dorian Bell, outside linebacker
Gateway HS (Monroeville, Pa.)
Verbal commitment: Ohio State

Gateway High School produced a good linebacker last year in No. 8 inside 'backer Shayne Hale (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway), but it one-upped itself in 2009 with Bell. When we first evaluated him last spring, we were in awe of his speed and explosiveness, but his size was a bit of a concern, particularly for his intense style of play. Fast forward six months later, and Bell is tipping the scales at a rock-solid 220 pounds and is just as fast and disruptive.

While he still has some room for added bulk and strength to improve his shedding, Bell is pretty close to the complete package as an outside linebacker prospect. The future Buckeye has great range, closing speed and change of direction skill when pursuing in space. Between the tackles, Bell shows equally impressive foot-quickness and agility sidestepping the trash. His excellent blitzing and coverage skills add to his impressive, well-rounded resume on defense.

"Dorian's strengths are his speed, athleticism and physical nature," said Gateway High School head coach Terry Smith. "He combines the rare ability to be physical enough to play with the interior lineman while fast and athletic enough to cover wide receivers. He's also got a great feel for finding the football."

There is no letdown in his mental game either, Bell is fierce competitor who plays with a very high motor. Fast and physical is the only way he knows how to play the game, but at times that intensity can lead to him overrunning plays.

"If there is a weakness, he needs to slow down a little to not over-pursue to the football," said Smith. "He is fast enough to get to the ball but has to protect cutback alleys better."

[wadc45]

ESPN - With a nickname like "Baby Seau" it's little wonder Te'o is among best LBs - Football Recruiting

Best blitzers

What Scouts Inc. looks for: Savvy blitzers who can disguise the pressure, anticipate the snap and make themselves thin when needed. Explosive first step and the ability to accelerate to full speed quickly are vital. Needs to find the correct seam at full speed, attack from different angles and possess good bend with hand technique coming off the edge. Best blitzers come with reckless abandon and deliver high-impact, tempo-changing hits.

1. Dorian Bell (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway)

The future Buckeye plays in a system that allows him to attack freely off the edge and fits his physical tools perfectly. With his great size, speed and closing burst, Bell is almost impossible to block at the high school level. He can beat tackles to the corner with his great timing and first-step quickness or use his good arm extension and hand technique to get under their pads with a rip. Bell can also hurt you as a blitzer with his raw power when isolated on a back in pass protection. He is extremely tough as well as savvy at his craft.

[wadc45]

Fabulous 22: A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Thanksgiving tradition
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

DORIAN BELL
The skinny: Ranked among the top 10 linebackers in the country. Has size, strength and speed. Had 116 tackles and seven sacks. Also rushed for 885 yards on 83 attempts and scored 17 touchdowns. Two-time Fabulous 22 pick.

College: Had scholarship offers from schools across the country and made verbal commitment to Ohio State in the spring.

Other than a parent, who has been a role model to you? My uncle, Rich Stevenson, and my older brother, Joel Bell Jr.

Favorite school subject? Math

If you won a million dollars, what would you buy first? I'd help my parents with their bills.

Food you can't do without? Jack Daniels burgers.

Something you'd change about high school? Be allowed to use cell phones.

You'd like to spend a day with ...? Meg Bulger

People might be surprised to know that you ... Like to golf.

Fabulous 22: A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Thanksgiving tradition

[LordJeffBuck]

Signed with Ohio State.