🏈 2015 Grayshirt Christian Bell Ready To Join Team

[T&B]

Christian Bell is a former star for the Hoover High School. He helped the Bucs capture three consecutive state championships. He was an early commitment for Alabama in the 2015 class, but he was asked to grayshirt delaying enrollment until January 2016.

Bell believes enrolling next month was a major benefit for his development as a player and potential for his future in Tuscaloosa.

"I signed my financial aid agreement papers today," an excited Bell said on Wednesday. "I report on the 9th (of January) as of right now. They are still trying to see if I can come down for bowl practices.

"It's a very exciting point in my life. It's a moment I've been waiting for. At first it was kind of hard, but once I started helping coach fifth grade pee wee football it helped out a lot. It made the time go by fast.

"I've been working out at least three days a week. I have been running. I've been working with a trainer. I am up to 240-pounds now. Alabama wants me to come in and play linebacker.

"Mentally, now it makes me more hungry. I've become a better student of the game. I know once I get down there I will be in the film room a lot. I've become a lot quicker. My first step is a lot quicker.

"I am going to work hard and try to get on the field. I am going to work as hard as I can. I feel like being off the field this year has really helped me. It's been a blessing. I've learned so much. I probably would have been redshirted if I went down there this year. I am now ready to go." - See more at: TideSports.com - Bell set to arrive

 

[Bammerboy321]

I remember that whole ordeal. So glad to have him on the team. Guy was a force at Hoover.

 

[Mr. Pink]

Man I completely forgot about that kid. I do remember the gray shirt now, but forgot he was coming back this Spring. Hell yes, and roll tide!

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[Bamabww]

Welcome Mr. Bell. Maybe another Reggie Ragland type.

 

[Tidestalker]

I always liked his potential. If he's up to 240 already, that's a great sign... Strength/Weight was always the main concern considering he will have to play that Sam/Jack spot.

I'm not a big fan of the "grey shirt" policy that Saban uses sometimes, but I really appreciate kids like this who have 15+ offers and are willing to wait it out to be at UA. Pretty good sign of his dedication and character IMO. Bozeman and I believe Vlachos were also grey shirt guys, although Bozeman may have enrolled sooner because of someone quitting or being kicked off.

 

[UAgrad93]

I want to say that Bell was in the 215 range when he committed. I believe in the 6'4" height but was wiry at 215. To me, the grayshirt is beneficial to kids similar to parents holding back their child a year before starting school because of their birthday. I held my son back because of a May birthday. I wanted him to turn 19 and then go off to college instead of turn 18 and be gone. A lot of boys, more so than girls, aren't mature enough to take that step.

 

[Tidestalker]

I want to say that Bell was in the 215 range when he committed. I believe in the 6'4" height but was wiry at 215. To me, the grayshirt is beneficial to kids similar to parents holding back their child a year before starting school because of their birthday. I held my son back because of a May birthday. I wanted him to turn 19 and then go off to college instead of turn 18 and be gone. A lot of boys, more so than girls, aren't mature enough to take that step.

I think you're right about height/weight. Tall and thin at Hoover.

Yeah, a year can do a lot for a kid. Usually that red shirt covers it. Sometimes Saban will sign one too many dudes and have to push a kid back... I don't think they dropped it on Bell late in the process though, he was aware ahead of time, unlike guys like Philon and OJ Smith who were asked to GS just prior to NSD.

 

[OldPlayer]

I'm glad he's here, but that 240 will probably drop 10 pounds easy when Cochran gets hold of him. He's in for an eye-opening experience (in a good way).

 

[UAgrad93]

I'm glad he's here, but that 240 will probably drop 10 pounds easy when Cochran gets hold of him. He's in for an eye-opening experience (in a good way).

He may drop 10 but then Cochran will quickly remold him with that 10 in a new spot.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

I think they called him this in HS when he'd make a devastating tackle/sack, but it's worth keeping here:

" The Bell ringer"

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[bamachine]

I think you're right about height/weight. Tall and thin at Hoover.

Yeah, a year can do a lot for a kid. Usually that red shirt covers it. Sometimes Saban will sign one too many dudes and have to push a kid back... I don't think they dropped it on Bell late in the process though, he was aware ahead of time, unlike guys like Philon and OJ Smith who were asked to GS just prior to NSD.

I am not always a fan of the gray shirt process but with both Philon and Smith, they were told a month or more ahead of time that a gray shirt was a possibility. They just were not told it was a definite until right before, as Bama did not know for sure until then.

 

[Tidestalker]

I am not always a fan of the gray shirt process but with both Philon and Smith, they were told a month or more ahead of time that a gray shirt was a possibility. They just were not told it was a definite until right before, as Bama did not know for sure until then.

That's kind of the key point... That they told them for sure right before NSD. They certainly did not tell them that when they originally committed.

O.J. actually refused to GS and Saban ended up giving him a spot

 

[rick4bama]

I always liked his potential. If he's up to 240 already, that's a great sign... Strength/Weight was always the main concern considering he will have to play that Sam/Jack spot.

I'm not a big fan of the "grey shirt" policy that Saban uses sometimes, but I really appreciate kids like this who have 15+ offers and are willing to wait it out to be at UA. Pretty good sign of his dedication and character IMO. Bozeman and I believe Vlachos were also grey shirt guys, although Bozeman may have enrolled sooner because of someone quitting or being kicked off.

Bozeman also had a ACL in high school his Senior year. But, He would had walk on that how bad he wanted to play for Bama. But you right the gray was taking off him.