Michigan WR Kendrick Bell discusses emergence, what he sees from Alex Orji
The Michigan Wolverines are currently working in sophomore wide receiver Kendrick Bell as an option in the passing game as the program seeks playmakers through the air. The brother of former star and captain Ronnie Bell has steadily risen up the ranks for his opportunity.
Coming to Michigan as a high school quarterback, he has transitioned to the wide receiver spot and has taken to it with steadily increasing playing time early on this year. His redshirt season helped him greatly, especially working behind a pair of stalwarts.
“Last year it was more of a growing year,” Bell told the media on Tuesday night. “Being under [Roman Wilson, Cornelius Johnson and Tyler Morris] and then T-Mo being our leader again this year,” Bell said. “I think it was pretty good though. They taught me so much. Also [Colston Loveland and WRs coach Ron Bellamy], they helped me throughout my first year, and then coming out my second year helped a lot.”
Bell has 4 receptions for 42 yards this season and has also gotten opportunities to hit the field as a blocker, which is a prerequisite at Michigan. Things are starting to come into the focus for the second-year wideout.
“I’ll say the game’s slowing down a little bit,” Bell said. “There’s still more work to do because I mess up here and there. But you know, as the season goes on, we’re only gonna continue to build.”
Bell says he has been putting in the extra work as he continues to position himself for playing time.
“Just going through the practice drawings, meeting with coaches and staying in the film room, seeing where they are going, seeing what route you got, and then continuing to practice it with reps and reps,” he said.
Michigan has had issues getting the passing game going for a number of reasons, whether it be quarterback play, inconsistent pass blocking and wide receivers struggling to get separation. But it will face plenty of loaded boxes moving forward, and someone needs to emerge as a threat down the field to make plays. Bell says those guys are in the room already.
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“We have deep threats,” Bell said. “We just gotta go and show it. We show it all the time in practice. And just being able to put it out there on Saturdays is a big part of it. [It can improve with] detail. Details here and there. Like a simple [missed assignment]. That’s what it is. Just paying attention.”
Junior Alex Orji is getting the call at quarterback for the third week in a row, and Bell sees a capable leader of the Michigan offense.
“He is a vocal leader,” Bell said. “He throws the ball well. If things are not going right, he’ll bring the whole offense together and be like, ‘We got to get this right. Let’s fix this next period.’ And we have a good period after that. He’s just a really good leader.”
Saturday’s game at Washington (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC) is the team’s first trip away from Ann Arbor this season. Bell is looking forward to it given its ability to bring the group together.
“Shoot, we’re together from the airplane and then going back home from the airplane,” Bell said. “We stay as a pack. That’s why it’s so much fun playing road games. Just because we’re all together at the same time.
