Bell down to three; Iowa offers two defensive backs
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Iowa football program has been aggressive and far-reaching in its search for wide receivers and defensive backs in the 2017 recruiting class.
The coaches could be rewarded for their efforts on Monday with three-star receiver Maurice Bell, a native of Murrieta, Calif., planning to announce his decision that day.
Bell told AllHawkeyes.com on Saturday that he is down to Iowa, Colorado and Washington State. He also had been considering Michigan until recently.
Bell had previously released a top-five list of schools in early spring that also included Iowa. He later changed his mind, saying he needed more time to make a decision.
Meanwhile, Iowa extended scholarship offers to two defensive backs since Friday. The offers came during a weekend in which the Iowa coaches are hosting the annual tailgater event.
Bradley, Ill., native Camron Harrell and Delray Beach, Fla. native Josh Turner both were offered scholarships as defensive backs.
Iowa’s offer is the first for Harrell and put the Hawkeyes in the lead.
“The feeling is unreal,” Harrell said. “Iowa has always been one of my favorite schools and this offer is a dream come true.
“Iowa is my top school.”
Iowa has been successful in developing lightly-recruited high school players into college stars under head coach Kirk Ferentz.
One of the best examples is 2015 Jim Thorpe Award winner Desmond King.
King came to Iowa as an under-the-radar prospect out of Detroit and has since blossomed into a consensus All-American and national award winner.
King inspires recruits with his presence.
“The guy is a monster,” Harrell said. “It just goes to show you can accomplish anything no matter what position, size or age.”
Just like King, Harrell also excels as a return specialist and would like to continue the dual-role in college.
Harrell was among a number of recruits who attended Iowa’s tailgater on Saturday. He got to know some of the players already committed to Iowa’s 2017 recruiting class, including running back Eno Benjamin and quarterback Peyton Mansell, both of whom are from Texas.
Several Texas natives attended the tailgater on Saturday, including defensive back Kobe Boyce, who is currently committed to the Texas Longhorns, but considering the Hawkeyes.
"This was a weekend to remember," Boyce said on Twitter.
As for Harrell, he learned this weekend why the Iowa coaches like him so much as a prospect.
“They told me they like the way I play on film,” Harrell said. “Then they said they like the way I play on their field better. They believe I’ll make a great addition to the Hawkeye family.”
Iowa is Harrell’s only scholarship offer to date, but he is gaining interest from North Dakota State and Central Michigan.
Harrell said he doesn’t have any other visits lined up at this point and has no timetable for making a decision.
See Harrell’s junior highlight video here: