UCLA Eying A JC QB With Bruin Connections: Darius Bell

by Nestor on Apr 16, 2010 11:56 AM PDT in Recruiting

Since this information is out there (already posted on Bruinzone.com and Bruingold.com) might as well share it here as well. Credit really goes to Brandon Huffman from BruinReportOnline.com for being on top of this story before anyone else. Coach Rick Neuheisel and his staff have been recruiting a JC QB out of San Francisco City College. His name is Darius Bell. Here is his profile on scout.com which has him listed around 6-0, 218. He also happens to be the younger brother of Kahlil Bell, who is a big fan of CRN and the current UCLA coaching staff.

Darius just finished one season at San Francisco CC where he transferred over from Montana State. He ended up at Montana State because former Bruin OC Jim Svoboda was the OC there at the time (before leaving to become the head coach at Central Missouri). Bell didn't stick around there and came into San Francisco CC without losing any eligibility. On paper and according these highlights Bell looks like a dual threat type of QB (HT BRO):

Here is a write-up on Bell from last season from a Bay Area paper before he started his season at San Francisco CC. He ended up throwing for 1,905 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2009. He was picked off 5 times. He also rushed for 870 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those highlights are fun to watch and the numbers are certainly impressive but let's not get carried away here.

Before anyone gets way too excited keep in mind the following:

Kevin Craft was the top ranked QB coming out of JC (not a joke)
The history of JC transfers getting their required coursework in to get admitted to UCLA is not all that great

If Bell does indeed get into UCLA that would certainly add some depth into our QB chart. Still it is way too early to think how that scenario would work out and how it would impact possible RS scenarios of Richard Brehaut. After all Kraft was brought in chiefly for insurance purposes before he got pressed into service due to unreal injury issues in CRN's first year.

The news is kind of intriguing though. Bell's athletic skills could be a fit for the new revolver packages coaches are currently integrating into our offensive scheme. If everything works out Bell could be enrolled for this upcoming Fall but as mentioned above the road for JC football transfers to Spaulding have traditionally been more than a little rocky. We will see how it all turns out.

GO BRUINS.

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He might make a decent backup

But the video shows many touchdown passes thrown with excellent protection to wide open receivers. The second half of the video shows a few nice outs and some nice dumpoffs. He looks cool and collected. He looks a little short, and may have more trouble throwing over the larger lineman at Pac 10 sizes. His main skill will be the ability to evade the rush and turn it into positive yardage. It is nice to have another piece to consider. I wonder if he wants to come as a backup to Prince. I can’t imagine he can overtake Prince, given all the time NC has put into his development. It could be a big year for KP, if the offensive line can hold up.

by 75NatChamps on Apr 16, 2010 12:26 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah

I don’t think Prince is in danger of losing his starting spot as long as he (fingers crossed) stays healthy and continues to work his rear end off to get better (like he has been this off-season).

by Nestor on Apr 16, 2010 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Masoli played at CCSF.

Bell could be similar (on the field). He could be very good if he has half the heart that his older brother has. I’m sure the staff will do their due diligence, but he might be a worthwhile recruit for revolver packages.

by AllHailMightyBruins on Apr 16, 2010 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Well..

CCSF has obviously started recruiting QBs with more character recently then.

by Chris09 on Apr 16, 2010 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions

So did Orenthal . . . I guess they don't care much about "character" at ole CCSF

by charnaw on Apr 16, 2010 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I was implying

Masoli had none but Darius did. I’m a huge Kahlil Bell fan so I’d love to see his brother get a shot.

by Chris09 on Apr 16, 2010 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Injuries for Prince have been his problem...

…since high school. Like Olson, too prone to getting hurt. I am too hoping that his off-season work and poundage was aimed at strengthening weak spots. Otherwise, we’ll need another body or two extra as back-ups to Brehaut. Prince deserves to have an injury-free year this year…he’s an impressive young man.

by 2ndGenBruin on Apr 16, 2010 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions

This could let us space out our QBs

If Hill comes in and can back-up Prince, it may allow us to redshirt Brehaut and get him a class year behind KP. That would be great for the long term health of the program. Plus, I loved Khalil, so it would be great to get his brother in the program too!

by BruinJD on Apr 16, 2010 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions

I like the idea that Bruins Football is a family affair.

I enjoyed Kahlil’s game against Northwestern in the Alamo? Bowl. His brother get’s a welcome to UCLA in my book. I’ll let the coaches decide how to get him on the field.

The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Apr 16, 2010 1:02 PM PDT reply actions

Sun Bowl

"I can't believe I ate the whole thing" Homer Simpson

by AMM19 on Apr 16, 2010 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

thx

The best thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Apr 16, 2010 7:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I want to play for SF CC

His receivers were always wide open and he hardly gets touched in this video. Think he can drag along an o-lineman or two for some depth?

Tinman

by Tinman17 on Apr 16, 2010 1:29 PM PDT reply actions

I was thinking the opposite

I hope the corners and safeties on those opposing teams transfer to other pac10 schools. =p

by Chris09 on Apr 16, 2010 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Think it’s more the offense is good, not that the defense is bad…CCSF is and has been one of the top JC programs in the nation. You’ll probably see a few of those guys in the Pac-10 over the next couple years – Cal’s had some luck with CCSF guys, Oregon’s got a few on their roster as well.

Not sure why the guys we go after can’t seem to get it done in the classroom, doesn’t seem like we have really pursued JC players that much though and I never really understood that. Snagging a JC player or two like Kevin Craft for depth would be a lot better than a walk-on like Bethel Thompson – there’s plenty of talent in Southern California that slips through the cracks and heads to the local JCs in the area, yet they rarely stay local.

by jtthirtyfour on Apr 16, 2010 5:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe with the Neuheisel Pistol we’ll have Prince and Bell in the backfield at the same time. Why not mix it up?

And I’d sure like to see the serpentine out of the huddle come back, too, along with the old powderkeg blue unies. (Well, they’re sorta back.)

Bleeding powderkeg blue and gold for 55 years. Go Bruins!

by Digdog on Apr 16, 2010 5:44 PM PDT reply actions

is there any sense

that he could be a multi-purpose offensive athlete?

I like the idea of having a wildcard piece that can be used in multiple formations. I dislike the idea of having a dual threat QB installed as our backup in order to RS Brehaut given the scheme changes normally brought about if a dual-threat QB has to step in for a traditional QB.

by britishbruin on Apr 16, 2010 9:42 PM PDT reply actions