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

12/07/22 - FB Jaheim Bell, rJr/2024, Florida State

South Carolina's Jaheim Bell, the most versatile offensive weapon the Gamecocks have, will enter the NCAA transfer portal, he announced late Monday night. A multi-use talent who could play running back, receiver and tight end, Bell came into the season with expectations that he would be a heavy part of every offensive game plan. Instead, he spent most of it without the ball in his hands, which led to late-season statements about his frustration and explanations from former offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield that didn't make much sense. Satterfield declared he wanted Bell to touch the ball as much as possible, something that was echoed by head coach Shane Beamer, but the execution screamed otherwise.

It came to a head after a 23-10 loss to Missouri where Bell was on the field for nine snaps and received no carries nor catches. "It's very frustrating going through the week knowing that you're going to get the ball and it doesn't happen," Bell said then. "It's kind of frustrating, but I kind of tried to let that go after Sunday and Monday and today on Tuesday, try to come in and build on it and be positive and prepare like a pro." The Gamecocks' final four games, which also featured injuries to top two running backs MarShawn Lloyd and Christian Beal-Smith, saw Bell's usage dramatically increase. Bell rushed nine times, scoring one touchdown, and caught two passes in the Gamecocks' 31-30 win at Clemson on Nov. 26. The thought was that Bell would consider the NFL Draft, but his statement on Monday said nothing about professional football, only that he was leaving USC. With fellow tight end Austin Stogner also announcing his intention to enter the portal on Monday, and Nate Adkins out of eligibility, the Gamecocks stand to return only Traevon Kenion from their four-TE rotation. - The Post and Courier

rJr/2024