Jaheim Bell, Florida State Football News: Draft Scout Player News

08/18/22 - FB Jaheim Bell, rJr/2024, Florida State

It's a compliment. Jaheim Bell knows that. But for his own motivation, and more so his personal feelings, he will politely tell you he doesn't want to be compared to anybody. Not even multi-purpose NFL star Deebo Samuel. "As far as being compared to Deebo, I really don't like that. I'm one of one. I'm myself," he demurred. "I really don't want to be compared to the next guy." Bell broke out as a sophomore in 2021, catching 30 passes for 497 yards and five touchdowns. He also had five carries for 40 carries and a 22-yard kickoff return scattered throughout 12 regular-season games. His six-catch, 136-yard performance against Vanderbilt was the best game by a tight end in school history. At a school that has produced first-round NFL Draft pick tight ends like Willie Scott and Hayden Hurst, not to mention third-rounder and 13-year NFL vet Jared Cook, that stands out.

Yet he did himself one better in the Duke's Mayo Bowl, hauling in five balls for 159 yards and two touchdowns while adding three carries for 21 yards. If North Carolina didn't know who Bell was after he took the Gamecocks' first play of the game 20 yards on an off-tackle run, they did two plays later when he plucked a pass from Dakereon Joyner and raced 69 yards for a touchdown. He only needed three plays to score again, trotting a ball and a neon-lit "IT'S OVER" sign into the end zone with him. The Tar Heels found out what the rest of the world was quickly discovering. Jaheim Bell is a major talent. Just like Deebo Samuel is. And because they do so many things for their respective teams, and because Samuel is a USC alum, Bell had the Deebo label taped to him before he knew it was peeled off the contact sheet. "They are different, but they're both strong, athletic, they both make plays with the ball in their hands," USC tight ends coach Jody Wright said. "They both line up in multiple positions." - The Post and Courier

rJr/2024