Interview: 3-Star 2022 Arkansas CB Tamerius Bell to Showcase Athleticism at RB in 2020
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Throughout the 2019 high school football season, Tamerius Bell showed his potential as a collegiate defensive back. Playing corner for West Memphis High School, Bell locked in for 48 tackles with four passes defended, two picks, and jarred loose a ball. The now 5-11, 195-pound, defender will give college scouts something else to see during the 2020 campaign adding running back to his list of duties. The excitement is building with the Blue Devils and their fanbase. West Memphis enters the season slotted at No. 11 in the 6A Arkansas rankings by MaxPreps. That fervor continues onto the recruiting trail for the three-star recruit with eight offers on the table.
In an RNG update Q&A, Bell shares with us his progress over the summer months with a rundown on potential recruiting visits once campuses become active again.
Interview
Tamerius, when the 2019 season ended what did you feel were the strengths to your game as a corner?
My coach worked me hard and gave me some good technique skills last season. I was a zone corner at first, but he had me rolling in man-to-man coverage by the end of the season.
What were some of the coverages you guys were running last season?
We ran Cover 3, 4, 0, and Cover 2.
Is there an aspect to your game that may get overlooked?
I am a hard hitter. I don’t think a lot of coaches recognize that.
Where are you lining up on the field this season?
You will see me on kickoff, punt return, corner, safety, and at running back.
What front are you guys running on defense in 2020?
A 3-4.
What style of offense?
We run Spread and I-formation. We are running a lot of different formations and switching it up.
You mentioned playing running back this season. Are you excited about that opportunity?
I am. I want to do whatever I can to help my team out. Whatever I need to do, I will do it.
What have you been working on with your game as a defender this offseason?
My eyes and feet.
You’ve bulked up this summer. What have you been doing to add that strength and power to your skillset?
Yeah, I got to 195 over quarantine. If I eat, I will get big. I got big weight wise, but we run a lot and it is not getting back down. I am a solid 195.
What have you been doing to improve your top-end speed this summer?
In practice we are doing flex runs – our new head coach, Coach Hooks, he has us doing that. He is conditioning us well. I am the best conditioned I have been since I started playing football.
What time did you lay down running your last 40-yard dash?
On my last 40, I ran a 4.64.
Turning to recruiting. Ahead of your junior season, which schools are showing recruiting interest?
Penn State, Arkansas, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Liberty, Florida State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Tulane
How many offers do you have?
I have eight offers. Some of the sites are not counting all of my offers. I have offers from Baylor, Kent State, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M and FBS offers from Southern University, Mercer, Western Illinois, and Cumberland Phoenix.
When visits are allowed again, which schools might you go see?
I want to go back to Florida State, Tennessee, Memphis – my hometown, back to Bama, Florida, and definitely to Miami.
Looking to the team’s season ahead. How are you guys looking?
Our offense is coming along and our defense is solid. We are a hybrid defense. We have speed, but not as much size as last season. In our scrimmage, they kicked a field goal without a rush but we held them down. We had four or five turnovers. We are good on defense but we gotta put the ball in the end zone on offense.
Who are some of the guys on the team to be on the lookout for this year?
Jaylen Turner 2022 outside linebacker, Brandon Peters 2022 strong safety, 2021 tight end and linebacker Jaylen Sheppard, and 2021 receiver Nathan Watson.
Last question for you, going back to you playing running back. How did that go in your scrimmage?
I am hitting the hole hard in practice, I have to apply it in a game.
Tamerius, it was great catching up with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you and the Blue Devils a successful 2020 season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Bell family; Tamerius Bell on the field
Unfortunately his Power 5 offers are now null & void. Baylor and Ole Miss have new coaching staffs. If he doesn’t improve that 40 time he’ll be lucky to get a D1 scholarship.