Recruiting Wrap

Javon Bell a gamebreaker

Posted by: Jeremy Werner

Thursday, October 29, 2009 8:51 AM

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Just give Javon Bell the ball and watch him work.

That's half the offensive game plan for Jacksonville (Fla.) Ribault football coach Anthony Flynn.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound wide receiver has 29 catches through seven games, not a gaudy number. But Bell has made the most of his opportunities, with 903 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns to add to his 44-yard touchdown pass and 80-yard touchdown run.

"I can use him almost like a Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings rookie receiver)," Flynn said. "I can put him at running back, quarterback, wide receiver. He's a great athlete. He's a big-play player, but a lot of those yards are a 12-yard catch and he'll run it for 70. Although, he's still going to stretch the field on you also.

"It's just confidence No. 1, and then it's just God-given ability, stuff you can't teach him."

Flynn said he wished he could give Bell the ball more often.

"I think the person leading the city in catches has 66," Flynn said. "Just imagine if we threw (Bell) the ball 60-some times a year."

Bell's speed and breakaway ability has attracted several BCS programs. He has offers from Illinois and Arkansas, Flynn said. Other schools showing interest include Florida, South Carolina, Miami (Fla.) and Michigan. Flynn said other schools are waiting for results on Bell's second attempt on the ACT exam before extending an offer.

Illinois co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch, a former Jacksonville-area high school coach, has led the Illini's recruitment of Bell. Flynn said Disch remains a big recruiting presence in the city.

Flynn said Bell is currently focused more on his academics and senior season than recruiting.

"There's no timetable (for a commitment) because we're in the crutch of our football season, so I know where his focus is at, and that's on the football field," Flynn said. "And he's trying to get himself where he can be so he can make a decision and go wherever I guess he wants to go."

If he takes care of business in the class room, Flynn thinks Bell can reach the ultimate level in football.

"I coached Laveranues Coles when he was a running back in the 90s and now in the NFL," Flynn said. "There's never been a better wide receiver (at Ribault than Bell). He's got a chance. If he handles his academic part of it and these type things, the sky's the limit for him."

 

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