One to Watch: Mater Dei 2017 Safety Xavier Bell Makes Instant Impact in California Playoffs

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Amazing how a fluke incident can help or hinder a team or even a player at any given time on the gridiron. Football is a game of inches and a fall from a teammate a couple of inches short of Xavier Bell’s ankle could have been a whole different season for Mater Dei High School especially for Bell.

The Monarchs may not have “needed” their junior safety during the season after posting a record of 10-3, but one could argue they definitely felt his presence in the playoffs after a 9.5-10 game absence. During a preseason practice, a teammate fell on Bell’s ankle during crushing his ankle and the majority of his junior season. The injury required surgery but Bell made it back onto the field in time for a warm-up game against Santa Margarita, Mater Dei’s regular season finale, but was an instant impact player in the playoffs helping the team into the third round.

In the playoffs, the 6’2”, 190 pound, athlete made up for lost time finishing the year with 22 tackles, three interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, and one forced fumble.

A lot of recruiting opportunities may have been lost but colleges will quickly come around on Bell. He has the size and ability plus he is fast enough to cover any wide receiver out there. Bell has a posted 40-yard dash time of 4.46.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Xavier to go over his junior season to get an update on his injury, his recovery, and his excellent play for Mater Dei in crunch time. I also got a recruiting news update finding out which teams are already coming around.

Interview

Xavier, everyone will want to know about the injury, how it happened, and how well you have recovered. So let’s get it out of the way, how did the injury happen?

“It was mid-August, I think it was Aug. 14. We were practicing, it was an accidental injury. We weren’t even going full speed, but a player dove forward and his helmet hit my ankle. I had a compound fracture. My ankle separated. On Monday after the injury, they told me I needed surgery. It was pretty crazy, not sure what other word to use. I thought my season was over. I was depressed thinking I wasn’t going to get back on the field.”

What was your process in getting back on the field so quickly?

“Our strength coach, Scott Prohaska, set me up with a great guy for my rehab. The doctor, Jason Amstutz, told me as soon as I walked in that they would have me back on the field as soon as possible and I could even play late in the season. I was excited that I could play.”

What was your first game back and how did that first game go shaking off the rust?

“I came back for the Santa Margarita game, I think that was Game 10. I had a decent game, I forced a fumble and had two tackles.”

How was it getting back onto the field? Was there any hesitation because of the injury?

“At first, when I first got back I was a little timid. I got a couple of hits in to get use to the contact again. After that first hit it was like nothing had ever happened.”

You had an abbreviated season playing in four games but three full. Which game was your best?

“I feel like I was a game changer in the Serra game (won 28-27). At one point we were down, I got an interception, I intercepted Khalil Tate. I had a lot of good tackles. I had a couple of saves stopping a touchdown. I did what a safety is supposed to do.”

You had a pick-six. Which team did you get that against and how long was the touchdown return?

“That was against Lakewood (won 66-14) and I returned the interception 81-yards.”

Mater Dei is in the offseason now, what areas of your game are you going to work on in the offseason?

“I’m going to work on my size, my speed – you can never have too much speed, my strength, and conditioning. Our strength and conditioning coach is already working on us. We’re working on getting bigger and then later on in the spring focusing on speed and turning that muscle into fast twitch muscle. I’m also planning on working on my footwork and watching more film so I don’t get rusty. I may play some 7×7 maybe for our school or B2G.”

Are you planning on going to any one-day college camps?

“I’m open-minded about that. I don’t have anything planned right now but I’m sure I will.”

Which schools are recruiting you right now?

“We had San Jose State assistant coach up at school the other day and a Michigan coach up there. Those are the only ones that have come through that I have met.”

How did your meeting with San Jose State go?

“We talked briefly. I told him I was excited about recruiting this year. We shook hands and he said he would keep in touch.”

How did the meeting with Michigan go?

“That was pretty much the same thing. We shook hands but did not get to talk much. He said he would keep in touch.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

“First, I will look at my major. I know if a school is not great at football but have a great education program and history, I’d choose that. I’m looking for a welcoming environment. For my parents and for me, I want to go somewhere my parents would be comfortable with me being there.”

Outside of football, are you going to play any other sports for Mater Dei coming up?

“I run track.”

Which events?

“The 100, 200, 44×1, and 4×4.”

Which event is your best?

“The 200 and then the 100.”

What was the best 200 time you posted last year?

“Last year I ran a 21.7 in the 200 and I ran 11.1 in the 100.”

What is your goal times in the 100 and 200 this year?

“In the 100 I want to run a 10.7 and in the 200 going for twenty-nine.”

Twenty-nine, uhh isn’t that going backwards?

“No, 20.9.”

Gotcha. (both laughing) My bad. That makes more sense. Moving on. Who has made the biggest impact on your football career?

“I’d have to say my dad (Aaron Bell). He’s always there. He’s my number one fan and my worst enemy. He’s always going to push me to the next level. He’s always going to be there for me and make sure that I have my grades right. He’s always going to make sure nothing can go wrong.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part about playing football… it’s always been fun for me. There is something about it, I can’t give a reason other than it is a passion. I love doing it for me and my family. I feel like it is going to take me somewhere.”

How are things in the classroom?

“Everything is good. I have a 2.9 and working on raising it.”

Are you scheduled to take the ACT or SAT yet?

“Yes. I’m not sure when but sometime in the second semester next year.”

Xavier, thanks for your time today and good luck with your offseason workouts and the one-day college camps.

“Thank you.”

Photo credits: Ebony Charles; No. 10 Xavier Bell