Bell reveals possibility of late switch

Of course, the way his recruiting process has played out, it’s easy to see why he long ago slipped out of the crimson-and-white limelight.

Kenny Bell, a speedy 6-foot-1, 160-pound receiver out of Rayville, La., committed to LSU back in early August, picking the Tigers over Alabama. In late November, however, Bell indicated he was considering the Crimson Tide again and would look into taking an official visit.

That visit was eventually scheduled for Jan. 16, but Bell never went, back-pedaling on his renewed interest in Alabama, reconfirming his pledge to LSU and shrugging off the scheduling of that visit as a faux pas by his high school coach.

Now, three days before National Signing Day, Bell is again revealing a crack in his LSU commitment.

“I won’t know until Wednesday,” Bell said Sunday afternoon regarding a potential late switch to Alabama.

What would it take for such a switch to occur?

“It would just take me thinking about it one more time,” he said. “If my heart wants me to change, it will let me know by Wednesday.”

Bell indicated there is a possibility of that happening. When asked for a percentage, he paused before answering.

“I’d say there’s a 40 percent chance of me changing,” he said.

When asked if some experience, some thought or some conversation had re-opened the door for Alabama, Bell — who’s being recruited to Alabama by assistant coach Bo Davis — said there was none. He hinted that while he’s been committed to LSU since August, he’s always kept an open mind throughout the process.

Bell attended the LSU-Alabama game in Baton Rouge, La., on Nov. 8 and made the trip to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama-Auburn game on Nov. 29.

Bell also visited both Alabama and LSU during the summer. He just never took any official visits.

“I just didn’t want to,” he explained. “I just wanted to think about what I wanted to do myself.”

Re-addressing the canceled official visit in January, Bell said he simply “changed his mind” about going because he had already been to Alabama.

With official visits a non-factor in Bell’s decision-making process, could a couple of friends provide enough weight to keep Bell in LSU’s column? Chris Tolliver and Richard Murphy are two current LSU players who were once high school teammates of Bell’s.

“That won’t be a factor,” Bell said of his friends. “Me and Chris are close, but he just tells me to make my own decision and go where I want to go.”

Bell said that’s the same advice his high school coach, Bo Barton, has told him throughout the process as well. Speaking of the process, the coveted pass-catcher said he’s looking forward to it coming to an end this week.

Bell, who said he’s heard from neither the Alabama nor the LSU coaching staff lately, plans on announcing his final decision at 10 or 11 a.m. Wednesday during a ceremony at his school.

“I’ll probably just say where I’m going,” he said. “I don’t know about doing the hat thing.”

Bell finished his senior season with more than 800 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. He’s rated a 78 (out of 100) prospect and the No. 49 receiver in the country by ESPN Scouts Inc.

The Louisiana native first became interested in Alabama after attending Alabama’s junior day last spring.

ESPN Scouts Inc. Evaluation
Bell is similar to another wide receiver in this class James Jackson. He is lean and has adequate height and very good speed. Is pretty smooth and fluid and is effective both vertically and after the catch on underneath routes. He shows the ability to separate with solid foot quickness. He can build up his speed quickly after the catch. Very smooth as a route runner and shows the ability to consistently gain separation out of his breaks when he works at eating up cushion and setting up corners. Can stop and start quickly into and out of breaks and shows some suddenness to shake defenders down. He is a player that when matched-up down the field can go up and win. He is not real big or physical, but he is willing to go inside and catch in traffic. He has very good change-of-direction skills and shows some elusiveness after the catch. Bell would be very good as a slot in the spread where he can be utilized on crossing routes and certain run plays and work underneath zones. However, he has the speed and quickness to win outside and get deep too which gives a team many options with him. All of his qualities are good, but may not be elite. Isn't quite at the level of former teammate and ESPN 150 player Chris Tolliver from last year. Overall, Bell can run, has quick soft hands and will end up being a very sound route runner at the next level.