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David Stanley Ford

Blake Bell is committed to OU despite QB situation

By David Ubben, Staff Writer    Comments Comment on this article39
Published: October 30, 2009



NORMAN — Sam Bradford committed to play one more season at Oklahoma in January. Three months later, high school quarterback Blake Bell orally committed to play all of his college career for the Sooners.


OU recruit Blake Bell is still excited about being a Sooner. PHOTO BY MIKE SHEPHERD, WICHITA EAGLE

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Kansas State at OU
→When: 6 p.m. Saturday

→Where: Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman

→TV: FSN (Cox 37)

→Radio: KRXO-FM 107.7

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Bell, a Bishop Carroll Catholic standout in Wichita, Kan., turned down offers from Georgia, Miami, Nebraska, Notre Dame and several others to play for the Sooners. The recruiting site Rivals.com ranks Bell as the No. 4 quarterback in the country.

Bell won’t be bound to Oklahoma until he signs a letter of intent in February.

And despite the Sooners sudden shift at quarterback, his commitment hasn’t wavered. When Bell committed, he appeared to be one of three suitors looking to replace Bradford, along with current freshmen Landry Jones and Drew Allen. But after Bradford’s season-ending shoulder surgery, Jones might have 10 career starts entering his sophomore season and a significant upper hand at replacing the Heisman winner full-time in 2010.

"I’m still excited,” Bell said. "People ask me if I’m reconsidering or stuff like that, but not really. I’m still excited about coming into it. I can’t wait to get on the field and show them what I’ve got.”

But even though Jones will have the experience, Bell doesn’t feel the pressure to unseat the Sooners’ new No. 1 quarterback.

"People say, ‘Are you going to go in there and start, or what’s the deal?’” Bell said. "I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I’m just going to go in there with a clear mind, have fun with it, and see what happens.”

Bell will be in Norman on Saturday for the second time this season to watch Oklahoma play Kansas State.

He was on hand for OU’s home opener, which was also Bradford’s first game on the sideline after suffering the shoulder injury against Brigham Young.

"Landry, Sam and Drew are all real good guys,” Bell said. "As I go down there more, I want to get to know all of them more, just go out with them and see what they’re like.”

Though some worried Bradford rushed to return from the shoulder injury, Bell was pleased with how the coaching staff handled their star.

"I like how Coach (Bob) Stoops and Coach (Josh) Heupel stayed calm and made sure the team knew everything was alright,” Bell said. "They were doing what was best for Sam, and now, he’s got the right doctor and right training staff that’s going to let him come back quickly and get ready for the draft.”

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David Stanley Ford


Related Topics: Sports, Football, College Athletics, College Football


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Cecil: ever hear of Jack Mildren? He had a cannon and came to OU as a passing QB (and to hand off to Steve Owens 40 times per game). He wound up running a pretty fair wishbone after the shift in 1970.
Paul, Kansas City - Nov 2, 2009 at 4:15 pm
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If you are good, competition makes you better. If you are RL, you go to Georgia or Miami.
David, Grant - Nov 2, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Too bad Okies are stuck with another non-Okie on their team. I feel bad for Blake Bell going to OU and being a Catholic in that Protestant bible thumping state of Okies. Life will suck for this good Catholic student athlete in OK.
RL - Nov 2, 2009 at 12:51 pm
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blake bell, welcome too sooner nation. look forward too watching you play. great attitude and kid as well. alot of great players come out of kansas,especially in the liberal,kansas area. can,t wait too see you in a sooner jersey.
johnny, olney - Oct 31, 2009 at 10:54 am
Joel, I agree but the Bradford era is over. That's wishful thinking.
The G.O.A.T., Oklahoma City - Oct 31, 2009 at 10:29 am
It's very promising that it appears OU should be solid at QB the next few years with either Jones or Bell. Also, let's not completely throw out the idea of Bradford coming back for one more year because it's not completely out of the question yet.
JOEL, OKLAHOMA CITY - Oct 31, 2009 at 6:29 am
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With that much confidence, Blake must be a heck of player. Looking forward to seeing him play for OU.
Janet, Oklahoma City - Oct 30, 2009 at 10:01 pm
TMS... OU is Definitely right place for Blake. The Sooners are running the perfect offense for him to display his considerable talents and will always be looking for top QB's. Those who have confidence and ability look forward to the competition, it makes them better. It only means Blake's not afraid of whoever is at the helm.
william, Tulsa - Oct 30, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Let's not forget the situation after the Aikman injury. Troy was replaced by a freshman who won out the rest of the year and won a national championship. That is not the normal scenario that most coaches are faced with when determining the status of a starter when returning after an injury.
jim, anadarko - Oct 30, 2009 at 6:23 pm
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Not exactly correct, TMS.....Switzer and most college coaches recruit the best athlete regardless of the position...Switzer recruited Aikman and was successful at landing him..Barry discovered that he had recruited one heck of a passer who didn't fit into his wishbone offense..Switzer did the noble thing and called his good friend, Donahue, coach at UCLA and arranged for Troy to transfer...The rest is history.
Don, Calion - Oct 30, 2009 at 6:16 pm
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Blake better look elsewhere if he's that good. USC or ? Troy Aikman went to UCLA because Swizter didn't run the kind of offense promised.
TMS - Oct 30, 2009 at 5:40 pm
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Anyone remember early in camp someone asked Wilson who the backup would be to Bradford and he said it was too close to call yet? Does that mean Landry really came on or Allen is that good. I watch a lot of football, ask my wife, and Jones is already better then your average QB. Most never develop to even be average so I wonder...
FW, Dallas - Oct 30, 2009 at 4:09 pm
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Blake I love your attitude and I cannot wait to see you in an OU jersey! Boomer Sooner!!
Richard, Mc - Oct 30, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Troy did go to OU but he finished at UCLA and doesn't claim OU so why should OU claim him? But, technically you are correct.
Brandon, edmond - Oct 30, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Mark, Durant. What about Troy Aikman? did he not start any games in his NFL career?
Mr. King, OKC - Oct 30, 2009 at 1:48 pm
THIS IS YOUR NEXT ALL-AMERICAN TE BOYS.........not really, he is a superb athlete and can be very multi-dimensional. As someone else stated, this is only his 2nd year at QB. So he is still a little raw at QB.
SEAN, CHICKASHA - Oct 30, 2009 at 1:32 pm
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Are you kidding me. Tommy Grady is the Yard Dogs starting QB so there's no way he's regretting leaving OU!! ;)
Joe, Oklahoma City - Oct 30, 2009 at 1:28 pm
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Mark my words: Bell will start his sophomore year, whether Jones is there or not. He's a far better athlete, bigger, better arm, able to run, quicker release, and more accurate than Jones. This guy is the real deal - watch his highlights on YouTube.

Stoops, Wilson, and Heupel are licking their lips: they may have their 3rd Heisman winning QB about to step on campus.

A QB with a great arm and the ability to run and scramble effectively is a dimension that the Sooners have never, ever (Wilkinson, Switzer, or Stoops Era) had.

Get ready Sooner Nation.
CECIL, Encinitas - Oct 30, 2009 at 12:55 pm
We should be solid at quarterback for a few years to come
Jason, Oklahoma City - Oct 30, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Stoops and his coach's give a lot of weight to experience. Remember this is the group that started Nate Hyble over Jason White. Landry will start as long as he produces. Bell will red shirt. OU fans don't want Bell to start as a redshirt freshman, or even as a sophmore. Best scenario is that Landry or Allen play several more years and Bell come in as a Junior. Experience is the best teacher. We don't want Freshmen starters if we don't need to.
tom, Lawton - Oct 30, 2009 at 11:45 am
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Why should he waver?

It's further proof to how volitile the position can be.

I bet Tommy Grady wishes he would have stuck it out.
Corey, Gainesville - Oct 30, 2009 at 11:39 am
Need to go out and get some of those 'good hands people'. Its nice to have a good QB, but if your WR's and TE cant catch a cold,(TOO INCONSISTANT) it just does you NO good.
SEAN, CHICKASHA - Oct 30, 2009 at 11:35 am
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I seriously doubt we'll see a "three horse race" for the starting QB job next spring & summer. Stoops will tell you there's a competition for the job publicly to keep Jones on edge & working hard, but if he continues to play well and has 10 starts under his belt going into next season, there's no way OU is going to start from scratch at the position with true freshman Bell, and certainly not with Allen (who is decisively and significantly less gifted than Jones). I see Bell redshirting, serving as Jones' backup for two years, and likely starting as a junior and senior.
Mike, Seguin - Oct 30, 2009 at 11:33 am
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game is on Fox sports.
ken, Houston - Oct 30, 2009 at 10:37 am
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Landry is solid and will get better with experience. I'm sure Bell is a gifted QB but redshirt him, let him learn the system. Who knows, Bell could be playing SOONER than he thinks with potential injuries. If Landry goes down then Bell had better be ready to fight for it. I am just looking for that great leader QB, Josh was and so is Bradford. Not only have the talent on the field but the smarts and leadership to lead a team. Plus they better get some good WRs!
Jess, Warr Acres - Oct 30, 2009 at 10:31 am
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He is a very good athlete and was an excellent wideout his freshman and sophomore years before moving to qb his junior year. When you see him scramble on video he looks a lot like Reisling but 20 pounds heavier and 5 or 6 inches taller. It would be intriguing to see what Kevin Wilson would do with a mobile qb, he did some pretty neat things with mobile qbs at Northwestern. If Bell is unable to win the starting qb job, he probably could pull a Meier or Tannyhill and be an effective receiver. It's not like we are flush with great split ends right now.
Bruce, League City - Oct 30, 2009 at 10:22 am
Mark, very true allow me to curb my enthusiasm. Anyone know if and where Saturdays game is being televised?
eudell, Virginia Beach - Oct 30, 2009 at 10:02 am
Sounds like the media has already given the job to Jones. Jones barely beat out Allen for the job. Jones has done a good job, but next season is a three horse race. A great quarterback would make a difference with this team, even with its current weaknesses
Phil, Oklahoma City - Oct 30, 2009 at 9:58 am
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Easy there big fella. Quarterback U has never had a quarterback start an NFL game.
Mark, Durant - Oct 30, 2009 at 9:56 am
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Too bad he's not available this week. Might need him, Snyder's back and he loves headhunting OU QBs.
sam, Ossian - Oct 30, 2009 at 9:23 am
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Try three disaster. Don't forget Gibbs. The great thing about recruiting elite quarterbacks, is the skilled players with pro potential will follow.
eudell, Virginia Beach - Oct 30, 2009 at 8:49 am
Nothing like stirring up a 2010 QB controversary while we're still trying to get through the 2009 season. I, for one, do NOT like or appreciate the way the media constantly tries to plant seeds of doubt into the minds of our recruits, or whoever does not win the job. Write about Bell, if you wish, but is it necessary to question his commitment?

Just like going into this year, the Sooners should have three quality quarterbacks on the roster next year. Considering how difficult it was to get one passing quarterback to commit to OU when Stoops arrived, he and his assistants--starting with Mike Leech--have done an amazing job of making the QB position at OU appealing to the top QB recruits in the country.

Of course this coaching staff has been a classy and competent bunch all along, making us largely forget the two disasters that preceeded Stoops.
Jerry, Atlanta - Oct 30, 2009 at 8:38 am
I'm with you, Eudell. Growing up in the 70's and 80's, I never, NEVER, thought we would be getting/utilizing/creating great QB's. It's a fun time to be a Sooner fan.
Jeff, Spring - Oct 30, 2009 at 8:35 am
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Wow, OU has become Quarterback U. Thats great. Boomer Sooner!
eudell, Virginia Beach - Oct 30, 2009 at 6:54 am
The Packers are crazy for getting rid of Blake Bell !
Barney, Mayberry - Oct 30, 2009 at 1:27 am
I hope Landry is good enough to win the job next year, then have a great year and go pro. Then Bell takes over for two years and the OU QB juggernaut keeps on rolling.
Barney, Mayberry - Oct 30, 2009 at 1:26 am
Although Landry has not been a disappointment, it is far too early to automatically give him the job next year. Still a lot of season to go. Additionally, if anything Sam's situation should show how quickly the second team guy is the first team guy.
Craig, Bixby - Oct 29, 2009 at 11:36 pm
He'll probably redshirt next year after that Landry could be elgible for the draft in 2011, so Blake is coming into a good situation.
Brandon, edmond - Oct 29, 2009 at 11:01 pm
This guy is the real deal.. Look out Landry!!!!
Theus, Oklahoma city - Oct 29, 2009 at 10:30 pm

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