Signed: Phillip Bell gives the Buckeyes another talented pass catcher from California
The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2025 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Phillip Bell has signed with the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS — The Buckeyes continue to sign some of the top pass catchers in the country each recruiting class under wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. Four-star WR Phillip Bell has signed his Letter of Intent to Ohio State and is officially a Buckeye.
What does it mean for the Buckeyes? Let’s check it out.
Who is Phillip Bell?
Phillip Bell is a four-star wide receiver from Mission Viejo, California. He attended Mission Viejo High School. He committed to the Buckeyes on August 31, 2024 over Georgia, USC and Washington. Bell committed to Ohio State just hours after the Buckeyes beat Akron in the 2024 season-opener.
On3 Industry Rankings: No. 223 overall, No. 29 wide receiver, No. 18 in California
On3 Ranking: No. 44 wide receiver and No. 22 in California
Hometown: Mission Viejo, California
High School: Mission Viejo
Phillip Bell is exactly what Brian Hartline looks for in wide receiver prospects. He is not the fastest or most athletic prospect but he consistently gets open on the field. Bell wins with route running and a natural feel for the wide receiver position. He had 46 receptions for 542 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games as a senior.
Bell is one of four wide receivers for Brian Hartline and the Buckeyes in the 2025 class. He joins De’zie Jones, Phillip Bell and Bodpegn Miller in Ohio State’s wide receiver haul.
How did Bell end up at Ohio State?
Phillip Bell was one of the busier prospects in the 2025 class. The 6-foot, 200-pound Bell made over 20 visits in his recruitment to double-digit schools. He took official visits to Georgia, USC Washington and Ohio State before committing to the Buckeyes.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Jackson Arnold
OU QB to enter transfer portal
- 2
Alabama flips LSU commit
Tide moves up the rankings
- 3New
Ben Herbstreit
POTUS sends heartfelt note
- 4
Lincoln Riley
USC coach talks job rumors
- 5Hot
Jahkeem Stewart
USC lands five-star DL
In the end, the opportunity to play at Ohio State and learn from Brian Hartline was too much for Bell to pass up.
“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.”
Bell will be an early enrollee and on campus in January after playing in the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas on Jan. 11.
