Is Bell making the right decision?; Photo: USA Today Sports
In 2010, according to 247 Sports composite rankings, Blake Bell was the #1 dual threat quarterback recruit in the Nation. Playing behind Landry Jones, Bell made quite an impression in 2011 and 2012 as a go-to guy in the red zone for the Sooners. Over those two years he compiled 24 rushing touchdowns including four TD games against Baylor in 2011 and Texas in 2012.
Many thought he would be the heir to Jones but he was beaten out this past pre-season by Trevor Knight. Knight wasn't quite ready for prime time and Bell would go on to be the Sooners primary signal caller for the majority of 2013, throwing for 1,648 yards with 12 TD versus 5 INT and he even had a signature performance against Oklahoma State to put the Sooners into the Sugar Bowl. But, it was in the Sugar Bowl that Knight would shine and make it apparent that he was the future for the Sooners at QB.
Instead of watching from the sidelines as a senior, or taking the transfer route often traveled by second-string quarterbacks, Bell is going to switch things up by moving to tight end. Will he end up like the #3 dual threat QB of the 2011 recruiting class, Kiehl Frazier? Frazier switched positions this past season and never found his niche and ended up transferring to Ouachita Baptist University.
Bell has the physical tools for the position but whether he can make the adjustment will have to be seen. When all is said and done, this could be the best move Bell could make for his future.
