Syracuse Football: Tale of the Tape, 3-star DB Charles Bell VI

Syracuse football has acquired another talented DB. Our recruiting analyst did a “Tale of the Tape” and explained why Charles Bell VI can be special in Orange.

Syracuse football rounded out their big recruiting weekend with another Safety commitment. This time it was from Maryland prospect, Charles Bell VI.

Bell is from Gaithersburg, Maryland where he attends Quince Orchard High School. Bell already possesses very good size for his position at 6-foot and 195-pounds, but will only get stronger when he arrives in Central New York.

The 2020 prospect also boasts an impressive offer list. Boston College, in-state Maryland, Pitt, and Virginia Tech were all after Bell, but the Orange won out. Credit Reno Ferri and Nick Monroe for doing the heavy lifting in this recruitment.

According to 247sports.com, Bell is a 3-star prospect. In addition, they rank Bell the 77th best safety in his class and the 32nd best prospect from Maryland in 2020.

Bell was on the Syracuse campus along with seven other prospects last weekend. He announced his commitment via twitter:

Let’s take a look at the highlights:

This highlight tape includes one of the most athletic plays I’ve ever seen from a Syracuse commit. From watching the tape all the way through, it is obvious that Bell is a tremendous athlete. Speed, agility, it’s all there. But he shows off the HOPS at the 1:50 mark. Bell is lined up near the line of scrimmage. He fakes like he is blitzing, but is responsible for the running back in the passing game. He baits the QB into thinking he is pass rushing when suddenly he drops back into coverage and makes an “Odell Beckham-esq” one-handed interception. This is a crazy play, showing off crazy athleticism, but also great football awareness. Bell recognized that he would get burned for a TD, but dropped back just in time to make up for it.

At the 2:51 mark, he shows off his physicality and size. Bell is at the line of scrimmage once again covering a tight end. He reads the run this time and engages with his blocker, who Bell absolutely bullies. He took down a tight end right in the middle of the play, completely blowing it up. In addition, he still makes the tackle for a loss on the play. Syracuse DB’s are tasked with stopping the run and the pass, Bell looks equally capable.

Bell is a guy offensive coordinators hate to see on the other side of the ball. He shows exactly why at the 5:48 mark of the film. He is once again covering a tight end but reveals he will be blitzing pre-snap. He drives the tight end back into the pocket, flushing the quarterback out to his side of the field. He is unable to bring him down, but a teammate gets a hand on the football, knocking it lose. Bell is right there when the ball is down and falls on top of it for a fumble recovery. He made the play happen for his teammate to get the strip, and he finished it off with the fumble recovery.

Bell has some very impressive film. He also looks like a dangerous return man, another weapon he brings to the table.