Miami Hurricanes 50-1 Countdown: Ranking the top 50 post-spring players … No. 43 Markel Bell
The Miami Hurricanes have massively reshaped the roster from a year ago with five primary offensive starters gone (QB Tyler Van Dyke, RB Henry Parrish, WR Colbie Young, OL Javion Cohen and Matt Lee) along with seven on the defensive side (DT Leonard Taylor, DT Branson Deen, DL Jared Harrison-Hunte, S Kam Kinchens, S James Williams, CB Jaden Davis and CB Te’Cory Couch).
50. RB JORDAN LYLE … 49. RB CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON … 48. DE COLE MCCONATHY … 47. S ZAQUAN PATTERSON … 46. TE CAM MCCORMICK … 45. NY CARR … 44. JUSTIN SCOTT
Which brings us to our annual series breaking down the top 50 players on the current roster. As we go along on this list you’ll get an idea of the overall depth of talent on Mario Cristobal’s team this year as he seeks Miami’s second 10-win season in the last two decades.
Today we are at No. 43:
NO. 43 OL MARKEL BELL
Why He’s No. 43
A massive 6-9, 345-pounder, Bell worked his way up to first team reps at tackle this spring with Francis Mauigoa out injured, and he can play left tackle or right tackle. Bell has an extremely high ceiling and was a highly touted junior college addition this year – he was rated the No. 14 overall and No. 2 offensive lineman according to the On3 Junior College Industry Ranking Out of Cleveland (MS) Holmes C.C., Bell chose the Hurricanes over Ole Miss, Auburn and Arkansas. He will be in the mix to start this season … but with the open spot left guard based on the returning starters the likelihood in that scenario would be Francis Mauigoa moving from tackle to guard. Other options would be Samson Okunlola at guard or tackle, or Matthew McCoy starting at guard. So it will be a heated competition for the one open spot this fall (Mauigoa, Anez Cooper and Jalen Rivers are returning starters, and Miami brought in Indiana multi-year starter Zach Carpenter to replace Matt Lee at center).
What he needs to do to move up this list
With Jalen Rivers and Francis Mauigoa returning tackles, perhaps the chance for Bell to start this year seems remote. But Miami will play its five best, and Mauigoa can also play guard. So if Bell shows this fall he’s a guy that has to be on the field, then don’t rule that out. We expect that when he does get into the mix that he will perform at a very high level – he’s got great size and physicality. The likelihood is he will be a backup this year and perhaps work into jumbo sets … unless he really shows out this fall.
Realistic season objective
Get the job done when he’s called upon. If Bell doesn’t wind up a starter, and at this point that seems most likely, don’t be surprised if he’s used in a role similar to what Matthew McCoy and Samson Okunlola did a year ago – putting on a tight end jersey number and working as an extra blocker on the line in jumbo formations. We think that when Bell’s number is called he will be a solid contributor.
The post Miami Hurricanes 50-1 Countdown: Ranking the top 50 post-spring players … No. 43 Markel Bell appeared first on On3.
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