IOWA CITY, Iowa – Maurice Bell is very much aware that the Iowa football team doesn’t have a receiver in its 2017 recruiting class.

He also knows that Iowa doesn’t normally recruit in his home state of California, but is making an exception with the three-star receiver from Murrieta Valley, Calif.

Bell told AllHawkeyes.com on Wednesday that he plans to release his top five schools at the end of May and that Iowa would “most definitely” be on the list. He plans to announce his decision on June 10, but is also considering delaying his decision.

The 6-foot, 175-pound Bell appreciates the significance of Iowa reaching out to a recruit from a state where they rarely pursue prospects.

“I enjoy it,” Bell said. “For them to reach out and offer me means a lot. I’m highly considering them.”

Iowa already has 10 players committed to its 2017 class, but none of them play receiver. The class is expected to have fewer than 20 recruits, so the number of available scholarships is dwindling.

“I’m looking at that a lot,” Bell said. “It would feel good to be the only receiver signed and it would be a big advantage for me to start early and come in and compete.”