4-star WR Phillip Bell commits to Ohio State: 'Ohio State checked every box'

On Phillip Bell‘s first visit to Ohio State in the spring of 2023, he picked up an offer from the Buckeyes. That visit made a lasting impression, and in the end, nobody could beat the Big Ten program in Columbus.

The four-star wide receiver out of Mission Viejo (Calif.) committed to Ohio State over USC, Washington and others.

“I liked Ohio State going into that visit because it was one of my dream schools growing up, but that first visit just made my feelings and interest in them even stronger,” Bell told On3. “It hit home when I got the offer.

“As a little kid, I was watching Ohio State and it was a school I dreamed of playing for. It was one of those 2-3 schools I grew up watching, and the more I visited, the more I liked them. On my official visit is when I knew 100%. I had a great official visit to USC after that, and I liked them a lot too, but I knew it was Ohio State.

“The visits I had there felt different. Since they offered, they just kept recruiting me, showing me different parts of the program, they gave me a good feeling and that is what led me to Ohio State.”

Bell is ready to make a name for himself at Ohio State

Bell is a playmaker. The 6-foot-0.5, 200-pounder is the No. 179 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking. He finished with over 600 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns last season while helping Mission Viejo win a state title.

He sees his career going to a different level in Columbus.

“Coach Hart (Brian Hartline) was a big factor in my decision,” Bell said. “Playing for him is something I couldn’t pass up. From what he does with his guys on the field to our time breaking down my film, there is something different about him.

“Every receivers coach has their secret sauce to how they do things, and with coach Hart, I can’t even explain it. What is different about him is how he gets so many top guys in one room. All have to compete and get better and to play at Ohio State, you have to work and get better.”

Bell is ready to put his name on Hartline’s radar.

“When you get there, Ohio State doesn’t care who you are. You have to go in there, work and show coach Hart and the staff who you are and make a name for yourself. Coach Hart pushes his guys, the receivers push each other and you see what he has done with receivers in the past, so I am ready to go with for him.”

Ohio State had everything Bell was looking for

No decision is that easy for a recruit like Bell. Over 40 schools offered. He took multiple official visits, he took unofficial visits all over the country the last 18 months, but in the end, it was clear, Ohio State was right for him.

“Ohio State checked every box,” Bell said. “They did everything right with me. It started with coach Hart and his resume, but getting to play for coach Ryan Day and coach Chip Kelly were big factors too. Coach Day is an offensive-minded head coach, coach Kelly is a great offensive mind and I love what they do as coaches.

“Then the type of program Ohio State is, how they work and the guys I will get to play with were factors. I am close with Tavien St. Clair, and he is a five-star quarterback I will get to work with him. There were a lot of things about Ohio State that made it the school for me.”