S.J. recruiting update: Bridgeton's Bell to announce on TV
Markquese Bell walked into a barbershop the other day wearing some Virginia Tech gear. The response was immediate. "Everybody said, 'Oh, I guess you're going to Virginia Tech,' " Bell said. "I told them, 'I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm just wearing this today.' "
Markquese Bell walked into a barbershop the other day wearing some Virginia Tech gear.
The response was immediate.
"Everybody said, 'Oh, I guess you're going to Virginia Tech,' " Bell said. "I told them, 'I haven't made up my mind yet. I'm just wearing this today.' "
Bell, a two-time all-South Jersey defensive back from Bridgeton and one of the state's top all-around athletes, has chosen a unique way to announce his college destination.
Bell plans to declare his decision during the Under Armour All-American Game, which will be televised live on ESPN on Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. The game will be played in Orlando.
"I've seen other players do it, and I thought that would be cool," Bell said after Monday night's Brooks-Irvine Memorial Football Club banquet at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Cherry Hill. "I thought it was something fun to do it on TV."
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Bell said he has narrowed his choices to four: Maryland, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, and Rutgers.
He said he has visited all four, most recently Virginia Tech last weekend.
Bell said he was still pondering his decision.
"It's tough," Bell said. "People are saying to me all the time, 'Where you going?' I want to take my time and make sure I make the right decision."
Bell said all four college teams project him as a safety. He's been a top wide receiver, defensive back, and quarterback during his career at Bridgeton.
Bell also is a 7-foot high- jumper in track.
"I want to go to a place where I feel at home," Bell said. "I want to make sure it's a school where there's a good academic program and where I will feel comfortable on campus."
Visits for Lovett
Cherokee senior two-way back John Lovett said he would take official visits to Virginia Tech and Penn State before the Feb. 1 signing day.
Lovett decommitted from Rutgers last month but visited the Scarlet Knights last weekend and said he was still considering the state university. Lovett also visited Iowa when the Hawkeyes upset Michigan.
"That was a great day to be there," Lovett said.
This and that
Camden quarterback Drew Harris has picked up his first offer, from Sacred Heart. . . . Cherry Hill West senior Harrison Hand made an official visit to Rutgers last weekend. Hand was seriously considering Temple, but the departure of Owls defensive backs coach Francis Brown, a Camden graduate who was heavily recruiting Hand, could affect his decision. Brown will accompany former Temple coach Matt Rhule to Baylor. . . . Timber Creek senior wide receiver Ezrah Archie still is considering Penn, but schools such as Monmouth, New Hampshire, and James Madison have entered the mix as well, according to Chargers coach Rob Hinson. . . . Pennsville senior tight end/defensive end Rob Saulin said he was sticking to his commitment to Temple despite Rhule's departure. . . . Holy Spirit senior Cade Antonucci, a first-team all-South Jersey punter, will attend Auburn on a track scholarship. Antonucci is a top javelin thrower.
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