Interview: 2020 DE LeShaun Bell is Making Name for Himself after Nike Regional Top 5 Placement

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The 2018 season alone should have been enough for college coaches to see the talent and upside in defensive end LeShaun Bell, but sometimes a change in venue can do wonders to catch the eye of scouts. Bell’s junior campaign with Westlake High School was noteworthy going up against the likes of Sierra Canyon, Grace Brethren, Calabasas, Oaks Christian, and Los Alamitos. But, after placing in the Top 5 among all defensive lineman at the Los Angeles Nike Opening Regional, coaches are now answering Bell’s call.

At 6-3.5, 250, the 16-year-old end did a great job of controlling the edge and chasing down plays going the other way. So much so, he ended the season with an estimated stat line of 77 tackles with 11 sacks and two forced fumbles. With first team All-Marmonte League honors and the great showing at the Nike Regional, the LA area talent now has an offer from San Jose State (March 27) and a three-star recruiting ranking giving him momentum entering the spring evaluation period and summer camp circuit.

In an RNG exclusive interview, I sat down with Bell covering ground on his play, workouts, and growing recruiting process.

Interview

LeShaun, you are a relentless beast coming off the edge for Westlake. When you put the helmet on for a game, what is your mindset?

“Honestly, on every play I go out there with the mindset to provide for my mom. My dad died when I was young. I work hard to finish his destiny of making it to the NFL.”

That is worthy motivation. Westlake played one heck of a schedule last season. What was your weekly preparation like for a given game?

“My preparation was going out and practicing giving it 100 percent. I keep working until we were ready. I watched a lot of game film during the week. After every game, on Saturday we started watching film. I would see what we were scheming against that week. I tried to watch as much film as possible. Each week was different. One week you have a team like Grace Brethren, a run-heavy team, and then you get Calabasas, an all passing team.”

What was the toughest game for you last year and how did that hard-fought game make you better?

“The toughest game was against Grace Brethren. Their offensive linemen, I have played against a lot of good offensive linemen, some of the best at the Opening and at the Under Armour All-American Camp, they were something I had not seen before. They worked hard and gave it their all. They were very good. They had a power scheme we could not stop in a 3-man front. I knew I had to become more aggressive in that game to make plays. I used my quickness to get around guys. I had to be more aggressive using my speed and strength against them.”

I know you have the spin move in your tool belt, what are some of your other favorite moves to use when rushing the quarterback?

“Right now, I have a few moves I am trying to implement to put more into my game. The hump move is one of them. It is used a lot in the NFL, Aaron Donaldson (Rams) uses that move. The swim move and one thing I learned from one of the camps, it is a speed-to-bull move. That is effective. The whip move is another. The hump and whip are two old school moves. If you get those down, it gives linemen a big problem.”

What are the strengths to your game as a defensive end?

“My get off is one. I have a quick get off. Right now I am working on my hand work. This season my hands will be very effective. My mentality is another strength. At Oaks Christian, I did not have the mindset I have now. Playing with Gabe (De’Gabriel Floyd – Texas) last season changed my whole mindset.”

Are you changing positions for your senior year or will your role change in some way?

“I will be playing multiple positions. I will be at defensive end but I will also be an attacking outside linebacker. On offense, I will be at tight end and fullback. I may be on the offensive line if my coach needs me on the line.”

How are the offseason workouts coming along?

“They are coming along very well. Most of last season I was at 215 to 220. I have put on 30 pounds this offseason. I can still move with the weight. I would say I move better now than before. I am faster now. I am also training at Sports Academy, that is helping a lot.”

Impressive. Have you maxed out in the weight room this offseason?

“No. We did a competition but not to max. My squat in the competition was at 445, my deadlift was 545, and my bench press was at 275. Again, this is not maxing out.”

You have mentioned competing at the Nike Regional and Under Armour camps. How did the Nike Regional go for you?

“The Nike camp, it went well. I did not train for the combine. I was not fully ready for that. But the one-on-ones, I got Top 5 at that camp. I learned a lot of new techniques from the coaches. My name started spreading after that camp.”

With your name spreading, which schools are showing interest?

“I am receiving interest from Fresno State, Nevada, and Wyoming. I have talked to Texas and Oregon. UCLA, Yale, Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, and Colorado are all showing interest as well.”

Which schools have you visited so far?

“I have taken visits to Arizona State, Arizona, San Jose State, and to UCLA.”

How did the ASU visit go?

“It went well. When I went down there, I talked to the coaches. They seemed interested in me. Both at ASU and Arizona, the coaches said they will come up this spring to check me out. I liked ASU, the same with Arizona. I like the feeling at both of the schools.”

And UCLA, how did that go?

“UCLA, I loved it. My mom liked it a lot. I like Coach (Paul) Rhodes (DB). I liked how they welcomed me. I felt loved there. I like it a lot. It was cool. I liked taking the pictures with the uniforms. I liked it a lot.”

Last question. When you are not working out or doing a football related activity, what are you doing for fun?

“For fun, I am hanging out with friends or playing Madden and 2K. I like the sports games. There are not a lot of people who can beat me in those games.”

LeShaun, it was great getting the interview in with you today. I wish you continued success with your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Bell family; LeShaun Bell at UCLA