Blake Bell dishes on OU decision at All-American game
My friend and colleague, Jason Roberts of PRISM Press Group, was gracious enough to share his Under Armour All-American High School Football Game post-game notes, including an interview with University of Oklahoma committment, Blake Bell. Here is Mr. Roberts’ perspective on the future Sooner:
Blake Bell, QB, Bishop Carroll High (Kansas)
Bell explains that when it came time to commit to a program, the University of Oklahoma just seemed the proper fit for him.
He notes, for instance, that when he went on his official visit to Norman, he felt an instant connection with the coaching staff – offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, Kevin Wilson, and quarterbacks coach, Josh Heupel, in particular. Then there was the fact that the university was located just about two and a half hours from home, where Bell draws support from what he calls “a big family” – far enough to “get away,” as he calls it, but not such that he won’t be able to count on a large cheering section at each home game that the Sooners play. Of course, the tradition of excellence at the quarterback position at Oklahoma also played a role too; Bell leaves little doubt, after all, that he has long been enamored with names like Jason White and Sam Bradford – and how learning from someone like Heupel is a true honor.
Bell figures his ability to move around in and out of the pocket, and to make things happen when pass protection breaks down will serve his greatest asset in that process. He knows he needs to work on his throwing mechanics – especially on his long ball. But that is something he plans to work on throughout the spring, especially when he takes scheduled trips to Norman to watch the Sooners during off-season practice.
What he possesses outside of such particulars can’t be taught; and it’s something that leads him to believe he’ll be able to bring something special to a program that just recently received what he believes is a huge boost heading into spring with a Sun Bowl win over the Stanford Cardinal.
OU, Bell admits, had “some stumbles” this season, with injuries playing a key part. The wide receiver corps for the Sooners was young as well – a situation he notes both he and the coaching staff have been trying to rectify by bringing in, along with Bell, young talent with an ability to make an immediate impact on offense like Kenny Stills (La Costa Canyon High, California) and Joseph Powell (Skyline High, Texas). (He noted with a hint of disappointment that fellow Under Armour competitor Darius White announced at today’s game he would be headed to Texas.) But the Sooners can take plenty of positive away from the win over Stanford, with a strong post-season performance setting the tone for what he – and the Sooners – hope will be a race for a national championship starting in 2010.
Of course, to do that, he realizes he’ll have to face some stiff competition in the Big 12, a conference comprised of top-tier programs and that has as of late been the home to some of the best quarterback talent in the country. But it is a challenge Bell clearly looks forward to – and especially when it comes to fighting for bragging rights in the state of Oklahoma each and every year when it comes to playing rival Oklahoma State in the annual Bedlam Game.
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