Immediate Help?

[Stallion]

Hey I previously posted that SMU had offered a JUCO DB from Bakersfield California CC, but I didn't realize that he was Derrius Bell's brother. Sounds like he is having a nice year. So far SMU is the only offer listed

Bell making noise as 'Gades' top cover DB
BY MASON KELLEY, Californian staff writer
e-mail: [email protected] | Friday, Sep 28 2007 11:40 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Sep 28 2007 11:45 PM

Each week, the mark changes, but the assignment stays the same.

When cornerback Dustin Bell lines up for Bakersfield College, he is always opposite the opponent's best receiver.

It is a task the former high school quarterback and collegiate receiver struggled to grasp last season. Now, however, the challenge excites the sophomore, evidenced by the two interceptions -- one for a touchdown -- against East L.A. last week.

"I have fun doing it," Bell said. "For them to have that much confidence in me, they must think I'm pretty good."

This week, Bell's job is to slow down L.A. Harbor's 6-foot-2 sophomore Deryn Bowser, who is one of the top receivers in the Western State Conference with 23 catches for 273 yards.

"It's going to be tough, I'll tell you that," L.A. Harbor coach Andrew Alvillar said. "All I can hope for on my end is my guys play hard and play as mistake-free as possible."

When asked about his weekly task, Bell didn't seem worried. He carries himself with the confidence expected from a shutdown corner. It helps he practices against what he considers the toughest collection of receivers in California.

"I see the fastest receivers in California every day, so every time I step up to another receiver, I'm not worried about his speed," Bell said.

Through four games, Bell has four interceptions, which is tied for the most in the WSC.

With the kind of pressure the defensive line provides, Bell has been able to take advantage of the mistakes of opposing quarterbacks.

"You can see the desire to be a Division I guy," BC coach Jeff Chudy said.

Bell grew up in the rough Dallas neighborhood of Oak Cliff. His senior year at Wilmer-Hutchins High Bell shared the field with his brother, Derrius, who is a now a freshman at SMU.

The year Bell graduated from Wilmer-Hutchins, the school was shut down, forcing Derrius to play at three schools in three years.

When Bell graduated, he spent his freshman year at UTEP. He couldn't keep his grades up and landed with Aaron King and Mark Johnson at BC. Bell said he also helped to bring in receiver Dashan Miller, who is out with a broken arm.

Bell switched to corner last season, but it took time for him to embrace his new position.

"He's really become a better practice player," Chudy said. "Last year, he was just kind of getting by because he had a lot of natural instincts and that was it."

Desire coupled with instincts during the Golden Empire Bowl last season. Bell finally felt like a corner. All it took was a playoff game.

"From then on, I just took off," Bell said. "I've always been a playoff guy."

This season, Bell is one of the anchors of the 'Gades' secondary. He wants to set an example for teammates. He wants to set an example for his younger brother. He wants to use this season as a means to get to a D-I school and a degree.

"I did mess up my freshman year," Bell said. "Ever since then, I've been doing well in my classes."

Whether it is through football or his education, Bell also wants to move his mother, Lady, out of Oak Cliff.

"I come out here all the time just thinking about my mom," Bell said. "I play the whole game on my mom's shoulders. I want her to get out of the hood."

With plenty to push him forward, Bell will line up opposite Bowser tonight confident he has seen better. He might get burned but, like any talented corner, he will expect to make the next play, because he has embraced the challenge.

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[PonyFan]

Nice going, Stallion - two cool stories in one day!
Sure would like to see this guy join Derrius on the Hilltop!

[davidsmu94]

I'd love to have some strong corners next year