2018 California OL/DL Jarrett Bell Talks Alabama Offer after Big Camp Performance

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The cream of the crop always rises to the top, the expression is especially true in football at all levels. When the chips are on the table, when the spotlight is the brightest, coaches want to see players rise to the occasion competing at their best. On Monday, July 17, one of California’s most overlooked Class of 2018 talents showcased his abilities for arguably the best college football program in the nation leading to an offer the following day.

After an offer from the Crimson Tide on Tuesday, tough to consider Jarrett Bell an under the radar prospect. The reality is, in early May, Jarrett Bell was just that, an overlooked offensive and defensive lineman for Norco High School (Corona, CA) with no offers. After a spring showcase at Norco on May 11, Bell finally started getting a little bit of his due. Hawaii was the first to offer after watching the now 6-5, 290 pound, lineman work his magic. Since then, eight other schools have offered with Colorado State, Fresno State, Stetson, Dixie State, New Mexico, Washington State, Arizona and now the Crimson Tide getting into the mix. The list could add four more by the end of the week with Oregon, Oregon State, UCLA, and USC finally taking notice after Bell received an offer in-person from Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Bell shortly after receiving his offer from Bama, just before getting on the plane back to southern California, getting insight on how the camp went overall and how earned a shot at playing for the Crimson Tide at the next level.

Interview

Jarrett, congratulations on your offer from Alabama.

“Thank you.”

Obviously, they have gone well, but how have your summer workouts gone?

“My summer workouts have been excellent. I have maxed out well in the weight room too. Our program, as a whole, has been doing great this summer. We are getting ready to compete for the 2017 season.”

What did you max out at in the weight room?

“My bench was 365, squat 525, and my power clean was 315.”

Which college camps have you attended this summer?

“Alabama, USC’s Rising Star Camp where I got MVP at that camp for top offensive lineman, Washington State at Redlands, Oregon at Redlands, and Arizona at Redlands.”

Have you attended the college camps as an offensive or defensive lineman?

“I stared out at offensive line and then went over to defensive line to show my versatility.”

Which camp was your best from a performance standpoint?

“I’d say… my best was probably all of them.”

What did you do well at the various camps to make all of them your best?

“What makes me standout the most at the camps is my agility. I’m able to move well, especially for my size. My structure, body and frame, and my ability to move at my weight helps me standout. My competitiveness as well. I give 100 percent with everything I do.”

Do you have any other camps coming up?

“No. This was the last one. I have to make sure I am healthy and ready to go with my team for the season.”

Let’s get down to business. How has the trip to Tuscaloosa gone?

“The trip was excellent. I got in on Sunday. I saw part of their camp then and took a tour of the campus and facilities. The next day I came out to compete. During the first session I gave everything I had. None of the coaches knew who I was at the start of the camp but I had their interest pretty quick. I gave it my all and they loved me.

The next day when I showed up, I was watching a camp session when one of the coaches said Coach (Nick) Saban wants to see you. I went into his office, sat down, and he offered me. He talked about the school, academics, and the support they have to offer to their players. He also told me how high I am to them on their board now. He said he loved the way I compete and the way I play football.”

Fantastic. Was this your first trip to the state of Alabama?

“Yes, sir. This was my first time in Alabama.”

What did you think about Alabama as a state?

“It is a beautiful state. Humid, but there are trees everywhere. It is really green here. I like it here.”

What are your thoughts on the facilities and campus?

“Their facilities are excellent top to bottom. They opened up their training room to me for my ankle. They got me ready to compete.”

What were your thoughts when you received the offer?

“I was in shock. It was a huge honor to be in Coach Saban’s office. All the national championships and the rings were everywhere. It was a great honor to be there and receive an offer.”

With all of Alabama’s success on the football field, was it tough to refrain from committing on the spot?

(Laughs) “That was hard. I wanted to talk to my parents first. I owe it to my parents to talk to them first to make sure they know what is going on.”

You spoke about this a little bit a minute ago, when the Alabama coaches were talking to you about your skillset and abilities, what did they tell you they liked about your game?

“They love my frame, how long I was, the structure of my body, how I competed, and my strength.”

Do you plan to go back to Tuscaloosa anytime during the season?

“I don’t have a visit set yet. I want to go to a game for an official this season.”

Have you taken any other unofficial visits this off-season?

“No, but I am going to Arizona on the 27th and Washington State on the 29th (July).”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you but have not offered yet?

“Oregon and Oregon State have been in contact with me since Alabama offered. USC and UCLA has shown a lot of interest – they might be offering soon as well. Georgia is showing interest now as well.”

Jarrett, congratulations, again, on your offer from Alabama, thanks for your time today, and have a great flight back to Los Angeles.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Bell family; Jarrett Bell at Alabama with Nick Saban.

Photo credit: Bell family; Jarrett Bell at Alabama (July 2017).