When they started handing out hardware for the Big Ten on Wednesday the homie from Indianapolis’ Warren Central high school picked up enough to pile in the trunk before the semester ends. For starters, he was named the Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year. Not only did he put that joint in the ride but he was also named to the All-Big Ten second-team by the media and third-team pick by the coaches.
Ole boy led the conference with 86 receptions, piling up 1,035 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Now will somebody please tell me how you can lead the conference in receptions, drop more than a 1,000 yards on the table and not make the First-team All-Big Ten team? I’m just asking?
Keep in mind that Rondale Moore was named freshman of the Year last season. With Bell winning it this year it’s Purdue’s first back-to-back honor since Brian Fox and Eric Hunter won it in 1988 and 1989, respectively. It’s only the fifth time in conference history that players from the same school have won it in consecutive seasons.
Let’s keep it real or all the way 100, whichever comes 1st! The first time I saw David Bell catch a football at Warren Central as a junior I knew that he was special. I’d been hearing about this kid but had never seen him play because I wasn’t covering high school sports at the time. I started covering the M.I.C. in 2017 and my first game was Center Grove vs. Warren Central. He caught a slant and went like 75 yards for a touchdown on like the first play of the game if I can remember correctly. The body control was NUTS for a 16 year old kid.
After one play I said, “He’s a pro!!” They don’t make people with that type of body control, speed, agility and athleticism everyday. It took one play for me to see it. So I’m not surprised at all by what he was able to do at Purdue this season. Nobody was surprised that has seen him play as a kid. It’s going to be even more fun to watch next season.
I’ve been saying for years and I’ll keep saying it. Three years after high school graduation David Bell WILL be a millionaire if he stays healthy. No question!! However, he’s going to be fun to watch in the interim. Stop me when I start lyin’!
