Get to know Mission Viejo, Calif., four-star wide receiver Phillip Bell, who signed with the Buckeyes on Wednesday.
Height, Weight: 6-2, 195
247Sports Composite Ranking: Bell is the nation’s 232nd-best prospect, 28th-best wide receiver and 21st-best player out of the state of California.
Commitment Date: Bell committed to Ohio State on Aug. 31.
Other Offers: Alabama, Auburn, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Miami (Fla.), Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, USC, Washington.
How He Did In High School: Bell caught 46 receptions for 542 receiving yards and six touchdowns his senior season at Mission Viejo to help lead the Diablos to the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division I quarterfinals. This capped off a strong four years for the wideout where he combined for 231 receptions, 3,006 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns for both Mission Viejo and Sacramento (Calif.) Christian Brothers.
Where He Fits For 2024: Bell enters Ohio State with a ton of raw talent, as scouts have touted his strong ball skills and body control as well as his crisp route running. This is nothing new for Brian Hartline and Ohio State, though, who have created an elite wide receiver factory of late who is constantly producing NFL-caliber players. Because of this, Bell — like many talented incoming freshman wideouts of years’ past — will have to wait for his chance as he sits behind likely future NFLers Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss, among others.
