Tag: Dillon bell

Georgia freshman wide receiver has breakout game against Tennessee

Georgia freshman wide receiver is generating buzz after the Tennessee game

Freshman wide receiver Nitro Tuggle shined in Georgia’s 31-17 win against Tennessee. Tuggle made the most of his opportunities: He caught two passes for 25 yards, a career high.

His 16-yard reception in the opening drive of the third quarter helped ignite the offense on a 12-play scoring drive that helped the Bulldogs regain the lead.

One of Tuggle’s routes drew praise from Georgia’s all-time leading receiver Terrence Edwards. “I love everything about this route/release,” said Edwards via social media.

Tuggle showcased a combination of wiggle and explosiveness that we have not seen in the wide receiver room this year. Now that it is late November, Georgia coach Kirby Smart will say the freshman are not freshman anymore especially if they were early enrollees.

Wide receiver Dillon Bell is trending toward being out for the game against UMass on Saturday. Another wide receiver, Colbie Young, remains suspended indefinitely, so Georgia is without several top receivers and needs young players to step up. Expect Tuggle to receive meaningful snaps early in the game.

Kirby Smart provides injury update on Georgia WR Dillon Bell

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart updates the status of injured Georgia WR Dillon Bell

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell left UGA’s 31-17 win over the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter with what appeared to be an ankle injury. He did not return to action.

“It’s (his) ankle,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart on Bell’s injury. “I don’t know if it’s got a high component. We looked at it tonight. He was not able to go. I don’t know how severe it will be or how long it will be. It’s just — I mean, look, guys, there’s a bunch of injuries.”

Bell has 33 receptions for 393 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season. In his absence, Georgia’s and quarterback Carson Beck still had a good offensive rhythm as the Bulldogs compiled 347 passing yards.

Georgia is already thin at wide receiver, but the Bulldogs had several tight ends step up and a few younger receivers play well against Tennessee. Tight end Ben Yurosek caught five passes for 51 yards and tight end Oscar Delp scored a pair of touchdowns. Wide receiver London Humphreys led Georgia with 63 receiving yards.

Georgia’s next game is against UMass on Nov. 23. The Bulldogs don’t have to release an injury report in either of their final two regular-season games.

Chiefs scouting report: Georgia Bulldogs WR Dillon Bell

Georgia Bulldogs WR Dillon Bell would be an excellent target for Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs need more receiving options to replace pending free agents and underperforming contributors. The 2025 NFL draft is expected to feature over a dozen wide receivers with top-100 potential.

Georgia Bulldogs pass catcher Dillon Bell belongs in that mix, but the Chiefs could snag him as low as the fourth round, depending on the college season’s outcome.

Bell is a densely built receiver who uses his 6’1″, 210 lb. frame to overpower defenders after the catch. He drops his shoulder going into contact to bury defensive backs and finishes plays falling forward. Bell also wins with elusiveness, using his sharp open-field cuts to avoid defenders. He lacks home-run speed but creates chunk plays with his impressive physical tools.

Bell’s build and creativity make him an outlet for schemed touches. Wide receiver screens, end-arounds, and snaps in the backfield are all in his wheelhouse.

Bell must refine his release package to combat press coverage, but his quick footwork and active hands suggest he has the tools to defeat aggressive cornerbacks. He rapidly accelerates off the line of scrimmage to push defenders vertically before making sharp cuts off the route’s stem.

Bell showcases excellent body control while making catches along the sideline. He suffers from a few concentration drops but comes through for Georgia in big moments.

The Bulldogs took their bye week last Saturday to prepare for their Sept. 28 showdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide at 7:30 p.m.

The Crimson Tide are the first of four SEC schools ranked in the AP Top 25 College Football Poll that Georgia plays this year.

Georgia football star named as underrated 2025 NFL draft prospect

Georgia Bulldogs standout is poised to have a larger role in 2024. He is also listed as an underrated 2025 NFL draft prospect

Georgia Bulldogs junior wide receiver Dillon Bell has been listed as an underrated 2025 NFL draft prospect. Bell is a second-team All-SEC player at the all-purpose position, but he is slept on as a wide receiver.

Bell is capable of helping NFL teams in the return game and as a rusher. He projects to have a similar role in the NFL to San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel.

As a sophomore, Bell recorded 29 receptions for 355 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He is poised to take over a larger receiving role in 2024 following the departures of Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey. Bell was dynamic down the stretch in 2023. Last year, he also contributed 25 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

“Dillon (Bell) hasn’t put up huge numbers, but 2024 is his year,” said Bryant McFadden and Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. “Arguably the fastest wide receiver in Athens, with his savvy route-running ability, Dillon is primed to produce video game-like numbers this year. Carson Beck, make sure your arm is warm.”

We agree that Bell is flying under the radar on NFL draft boards. Bell is not ranked among the top 92 prospects in a recent draft big board.

Surprising Georgia star ranked among the most important players in the playoff race

ESPN snubs UGA QB Carson Beck, ranks surprising Georgia player as one of the “25 most important players in the playoff race”

ESPN does not have Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who is a first-team All-SEC selection, as one of the 25 most important players in the College Football Playoff race (subscription required).

ESPN’s Bill Connelly ranks Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell as the Bulldogs’ lone important player in the playoff race.

Bell, who checks in at No. 12 on the list, is considered a “potential star in need of a breakthrough.” Bell made the All-SEC second team as an all-purpose player.

The talented receiver from Texas is one of Georgia’s most versatile weapons. Bell is a player built in a role similar to that of San Francisco 49ers standout Deebo Samuel. Bell is excellent with the ball in his hands.

Last season, Bell recorded 29 receptions for 355 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He also added 25 rushes for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

We anticipate Bell’s rushing numbers to go down in 2024 and his receiving numbers to rise. The junior wide receiver could be Beck’s top receiving target. Bell will likely compete with All-SEC receiver Dominick Lovett to receive the most targets of any Georgia pass catcher.

“Bell is already a semi-proven red zone threat, and he was UGA’s No. 1 receiver over the final four games of the season,” Connelly said.

Bell did impress down the stretch last year. There’s no doubt about that.

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But, what we are doubting is that Beck is not among the most important players in the playoff race. Beck will lead the preseason No. 1 team in the country as the Bulldogs face three top-six opponents on the road. There’s no question quarterback is most important position in football, so Beck, who is a potential No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, belongs on Connelly’s list.

Reaction: Georgia WR Dillon Bell throws TD on trick play

Georgia football wide receiver Dillon Bell completed a touchdown pass to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint on a nifty trick play against Tennessee

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dillon Bell has played running back in addition to seeing some snaps at receiver. Against Tennessee, Bell showed off his versatility.

The sophomore connected on a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint on a trick play in the first quarter. Bell following up his passing touchdown with a receiving touchdown in the second quarter. Bell is one of the most versatile players in college football.

The trick play to Dillon Bell is similar to what Georgia ran in the Orange Bowl against Michigan a few years ago. Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo called a great play. What was the reaction to Dillon Bell’s passing touchdown?

Georgia WR/RB Dillon Bell talks playing multiple positions

UGA football wide receiver/running back Dillon Bell opens up on his new role with the Georgia offense.

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.

Georgia’s Kirby Smart talks using Dillon Bell at RB

Smart: ‘A lot of it has to do with the health of our backs.’

Georgia introduced an interesting wrinkle to its offense in Week 2. Sophomore wide receiver Dillon Bell lined up at running back and finished the Ball State game with three carries for 28 yards, including a 21-yard scamper for a touchdown.

Returning leading rushers Daijun Edwards (MCL) and Kendall Milton (hamstring) have both been hampered with injuries. While Milton has seen limited snaps in each of the first two games, Edwards has yet to make an appearance. Talented sophomore Branson Robinson is out for the 2023 season with a torn patella tendon.

Milton, true freshman Roderick Robinson, redshirt sophomore Cash Jones and redshirt freshman Andrew Paul have received the bulk of the carries so far this season, but Bell’s success might be worth exploring for the Bulldogs.

Head coach Kirby Smart explained using Bell at tailback on Monday.

First of all, Dillon Bell has been a selfless player. He’s done whatever we’ve asked. He’s a really good wideout. This has been going on for a while, so this is not something that’s new. We’ve done this a lot with a lot of players that are situationally at running back, having guys go back there and look, understand the certain plays they can run. He’s big enough, 200 pounds plus, to pick people up. He’s really physically tough, strikes people, so he can protect. He can do a lot of things from the backfield. It’s something that we’re always going to have as an option or in our package, but a lot of it has to do with the health of our backs.

Bell came to Athens as a three-star recruit rated as the No. 65 wideout in the 2022 recruiting class, per 247Sports.

Bell’s flexibility isn’t a surprise as he played wide receiver, running back and quarterback for Kinkaid High School (Houston, Texas).

You can catch Georgia versus South Carolina on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.

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The Bulldogs’ SEC opener will air on CBS.

 

WR Dillon Bell signs with Georgia football

Three-star wide receiver recruit Dillon Bell has signed with the Georgia Bulldogs.

Three-star wide receiver recruit Dillon Bell has signed with the Georgia Bulldogs. Bell picked the Bulldogs over the Michigan Wolverines when he originally committed in August. Bell is a member of the class of 2022.

Dillon Bell plays high school football in Houston, Texas, at The Kinkaid School. Bell is quite a versatile player and played several offensive positions for his high school team.

Dillon Bell received a scholarship offer from the University of Georgia in June 2021. Now, he is the No. 25 signee for Georgia. He joins three other wide receivers in UGA’s class of 2022.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound recruit received significant recruiting interest from schools like Michigan, Minnesota, and Colorado. Bell also runs track for The Kinkaid School. He has over 15 scholarship offers from top college football programs across the country.

Bell committed to Georgia over Baylor, Michigan, Auburn, Houston, Minnesota, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State back in August.

Georgia football announced Dillon Bell’s signing via Twitter:

247Sports ranks Bell as the nation’s No. 460 overall player and No. 66 wide receiver.

On film, Bell shows off an impressive combination of size and speed. He is an explosive athlete in the open field and does a good job of tracking deep passes.

His high school team does a good job of getting him the ball in open space. He will be fun to watch play at the next level. This play is an example of what Bell can do with the ball in his hands:

Dillon Bell is excellent after the catch. He frequently shows impressive agility in his highlights. Here are highlights from Bell’s junior season:

 

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Arch Manning among top recruits visiting Georgia football

Quarterback Arch Manning, the No. 1 rated recruit in the class of 2023, is among the top prospects visiting the Georgia-South Carolina game.

Quarterback Arch Manning, the No. 1 rated recruit in the class of 2023 is among the top prospects visiting the University of Georgia. Manning and company are attending the Georgia versus South Carolina game.

Kirby Smart and Georgia football have the fourth-ranked class of 2022 in the country. The Dawgs are focusing on the class of 2022 now. Georgia needs a few more commitments in their class, which currently has 17 commitments.

Georgia has the second-ranked class of 2023 in the country.

Here are some of the top recruits visiting the Georgia-South Carolina game: