Miami Hurricanes Land Verbal Commitment From Top JUCO OT Markel Bell
Miami Hurricanes fans received great news in recruiting on Friday night.
4-Star offensive tackle Markel Bell is taking his talents to Coral Gables.
Bell is 6-8.5 and 335 pounds. He's looked positively dominant at left tackle in two seasons at Holmes Community College in Cleveland, Mississippi.
Bell has dropped around 40 lbs since high school, making himself quicker and improving his conditioning along the way.
Bell is the top ranked JUCO offensive tackle and the fourth ranked overall junior college player in the class of 2024.
Snatching him away from his home state is a feather in the cap of Miami's coaching staff. Bell was wanted by Ole Miss and Mississippi State. He also recently visited Auburn.
His game day visit to Miami last weekend, when UM beat Virginia in overtime, sealed the deal.
Bell told 247 Sports, "They’re very friendly. They welcomed me like I was already enrolled. I really liked it. What’s surprising about it is how really small the campus is and how it really is a family feel."
Miami offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, tight ends coach Cody Woodiel and recruiting staffer Dennis Smith played major roles in landing Bell.
We broke down the Bell commitment Saturday on my Locked On Canes podcast.
Bell becomes the 4th offensive tackle in Miami's class, joining 3-Star prospects Deryc Plazz, Kavion Broussard, and Juan Minaya. On the interior offensive line, Miami has 3-Star center Nino Francavilla committed.
Per 247 Sports, Miami now has the 11th ranked class of 2024.