Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell entered his sophomore season training as a wide receiver. However, injuries piled up in the Georgia running back room and the team asked Bell to play some snaps at running back.
Bell, who played some running back in high school, has excelled as a ball carrier. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound athlete has 17 carries for 98 yards and two rushing touchdowns this season after seeing no carries last year. Bell has eight catches for 78 yards this year, but it is apparent that Georgia needs him more as a running back.
Georgia’s wide receiver room has excellent depth, especially with the return of Ladd McConkey. That’s not the case for the Georgia running back room, which is missing Branson Robinson for the whole season. Additionally, running backs Andrew Paul, Kendall Milton, Roderick Robinson, and Daijun Edwards have all battled injuries at some point this year.
Dillon Bell opened up on his role at a press conference ahead of the Kentucky game.
I feel like as I practice the role more, my confidence gets higher and higher each time especially with coaches helping me every day at practice and making sure I know the plays. As I continue to practice the plays, it increases my confidence.
Bell has to learn a different set of plays, routes, and pass protection as a running back. Bell has good size for a running back, so he fits right in when he lines up in the backfield.
Dillon Bell is not the only player playing multiple positions in football. The NFL has an array of players that are versatile and can take carries or line up as a receiver. Bell would like to continue utilizing his versatility at the next level.
Most definitely. That’s something I would love to pursue. That Deebo Samuel role, Ty Montgomery, Cordarrelle Patterson, guys like that.
NFL teams really like running backs that are threats as a receiver. Dillon Bell would certainly check that box.