Top 50 California recruit talks visits

Murrieta (Calif.) Valley wide receiver Maurice Bell is not ready to name recruiting favorites yet, but his upcoming visit plans give some indication as to which programs have impressed him early on.

Bell, who is currently ranked among the top 50 prospects in California from the Class of 2017, has received scholarship offers from Arizona State, Boston College, Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, New Mexico, UNLV and Washington State. He is also hearing from Michigan and Cal, among others.

“It is a big shocker how my offers have come from schools across the country but I am kind of glad. I am really blessed,” said the 6-foot-0, 175-pound Bell. “I am going to Nebraska on April 15 and then I am going to Iowa on April 22. I also want to schedule unofficial visits with Colorado and Washington State soon.”

Bell admits he does not know much about Nebraska or Iowa yet, but he decided to visit the two Big Ten schools because of the strong relationship he has built with Huskers wide receivers coach Keith Williams and the Hawkeyes' coaching staff.

The Buffaloes' coaches have also started to develop a bond with Bell.

“I have been hearing a lot from the Colorado staff. They are pretty excited about their new facilities so I want to get out there and check it out for myself and see,” he said. “They told me I could make a big impact on their program and I know they feel like they are on the rise. They really want to be a big program once again so that is one of the reasons I am looking into them.”

In no hurry to make a commitment, Bell said he plans to wait and take some official visits in the fall before reaching a decision.

“I want to enjoy the process,” he said. “It has always been a dream of mine to play college ball so to be recruited by all these colleges, it has been real fun.”

Bell said college coaches have complimented him the most on his speed and route running. He earned second-team all-league honors as a junior after hauling in 58 passes for 956 yards.