Dillon Bell stepped into unsung hero role for Georgia in 2022
A look back at the Georgia’s 2022 seasons shows some outstanding individual performances. The Bulldogs had their go-to play-makers and producers, and one freshman wideout who didn’t put up head-turning stats can safely be labeled as an unsung hero. That youngster is Dillon Bell.
The Texas native piled up just 180 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 20 catches but it was his ability to stay healthy and stay involved that helped the Bulldogs get by week to week. With AD Mitchell suffering from a lingering high-ankle sprain and Ladd McConkey banged up, causing him to miss reps in practice, Bell did everything asked of him.
In all likelihood, Bell was probably asked to play a number of snaps for which he wasn’t quite ready. Not bad for a guy who enrolled at Georgia just a couple of months before the start of preseason camp.
“It was when I first got there, in the summer time, but I really started to feel it in fall camp,” Bell said of the moment he knew he could help UGA right away. “When we had our first scrimmage, that’s when I was like, yeah, I have the confidence. I know I can help this team win a potential championship.
Less than two weeks later the Bulldogs turned that potential into a reality with a 65-7 win over TCU in the National Championship game. Bell saw action at flanker and split end throughout the season. He was involved in Georgia’s two and three-receiver sets. He blocked, caught short passes, and helped stretch the field so guys like Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington could operate underneath.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Biff Poggi
Charlotte firing head coach
- 2Hot
Skipping SEC title game
Coaches prefer sitting out
- 3
Predicting new CFP Top 12
BCS formula predicts 12-team bracket
- 4New
Kiffin calls out Saban
'He's now the rat poisoner'
- 5
Dabo rips refs
Swinney headed to 'Targeting Anonymous'
That wasn’t at all expected by those who follow the program. Bell didn’t arrive at Georgia with much fanfare. In fact, he was a member of a wide receiver class that many saw as underwhelming. He was ranked No.427 overall per the industry-generated, equally-weighted On3 Consensus. He ranked No. 70 at his position.
The offer list, however, was impressive. Texas A&M, Tennessee, Penn State, and Michigan all threw hats into the ring. Arkansas, Baylor, and Ole Miss also offered and Bell could have stayed much closer to home to play his college ball.
Mitchell, who transferred from Georgia to Texas in January, had an impact on Bell’s recruitment. They’ve had a relationship since middle school. Remaining in the Lone Star State was never much of a thought for the three-star prospect. Bell, who hopes to change his number from 86 to 6 with Kenny McIntosh moving on to the NFL, quickly developed a strong connection with the UGA staff during the process and found a new home.
“I didn’t want to stay in Texas anymore,” Bell said of his decision to pick Georgia. “I already knew that I wanted to go to school far from home. My mom was okay with it. We’ve been in Houston all my life. We’ve never really traveled outside the state really that much. During the recruitment, I felt like Georgia was the best place for me. I know we have Atlanta like an hour away and that reminds me of Houston as well.”
