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Wisconsin Football Breakout Candidate: Christian Bell

By Noah Seligman

Apr 23, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players take part in drills before the Wisconsin spring football game at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Network
Apr 23, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers players take part in drills before the Wisconsin spring football game at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY Network /
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Badger of Honor will look at Wisconsin Football players to watch as “breakout” candidates for the 2017 Wisconsin Football season

Christian Bell was a major get for Wisconsin Football after the 6’4″ 246 pounds OLB decided to transfer from Alabama.

He has the size and athletic pedigree combined with depth chart availability to contribute in his first active season in Madison.

Bell was a 3-star recruit on 247Sports and a 4-star on ESPN.   A Birmingham, Alabama native, he was a part of nine state championships in high school in football, basketball, and track and field where he competed in the shot put.  An article from Amber Arnold in the Wisconsin State Journal notes Bell’s uneven road to Madison.

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"He grayshirted before joining the Crimson Tide in December. He opted to leave after one semester and will have four years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2016 season due to NCAA transfer rules."

Grayshirting is an ugly NCAA recruiting practice where power schools will over-sign a recruiting class and then bump or defer a recruit until a spot opens in the next cycle.  Instead of a medical redshirt schools just ask/force a player to accept a “grayshirt” which is a non-binding promise to include them in a future class.  Like flying United Airlines.

Bell being hurt by this practice is Wisconsin Football’s gain.  He will be especially important since Wisconsin Football must replace the production and energy from Vince Biegel (44 Tackles, 6 TFL, 4 sacks) and T.J. Watt (63 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 11.5 sacks).  In addition, Chris Orr and Jack Cichy are coming off injury so depth at OLB is important for insurance at a minimum.

He also has the size and strength to contribute at DE if needed given new Defensive Coordinator Jim Leonhard some positional flexibility to get extra pass rushers on the field.  Bell showed impressive instincts and athleticism in the Wisconsin Football spring game.  He is a name to watch in preseason camp and as the 2017 Wisconsin Football season develops.