Shane Beamer, Marcus Satterfield talk Jaheim Bell's role
Heading into the South Carolina season opener, Marcus Satterfield mentioned Jaheim Bell is someone built to carry the ball 15 times a game.
The tight end turned “wide back,” as Satterfield said, was going to have a role in the Gamecocks’ run game. South Carolina showed a little bit of that in the opener.
“Jaheim is a guy that can do a lot of things. Satt said last week that Jaheim may carry the ball 15 times. People thought we were nuts. Well, some weeks he may,” Shane Beamer said. “We have quality running backs, I’m not saying that. But Jaheim is a guy who’s hard to bring down in the open field. He’s shown that. One person rarely does.”
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Bell finished the game with 11 total touches, second on the team behind MarShawn Lloyd’s 14.
Of those, seven were rushes where he ultimately went for 39 yards and averaged a team-best 5.6 yards per carry.
He also showed why South Carolina’s staff wanted him to play in the backfield. The only issue becoming his role in the pass game.
South Carolina targeted Bell four times in the passing game, tied with Jalen Brooks. Antwane Wells was the only player with more passing targets (7).
His role in the pass game was largely at or behind the line of scrimmage, though. Of his four targets, two were behind the line of scrimmage and the others were just in front of it.
Bell’s average depth of target was half a yard behind the line of scrimmage while only averaging 1.59 yards per route run.
His role in South Carolina’s offense, though, could change. The Gamecocks could also opt to use him more in the vertical passing attack against Arkansas.
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“The more we can get the ball in his hands the better. I think every week; we look at the defense we’re playing and try to figure out the best way to attack them,” Beamer said. “As far as Jaheim goes, it’s a nice asset that he can carry the ball, can put his hand in the ground and be a conventional tight end or go out wide and be a wide receiver. I think every week is different.”
When he did have the ball in his hands, though, he showed why the Gamecocks like his game.
Bell had 29 yards after the catch, according to Pro Football Focus, while averaging 2.9 yards after contact per rush. He also forced two missed tackles.
One of the reasons, Satterfield said, Bell is used heavily in the run game is in part because handing him the ball takes some of the variables in the pass game out of the equation.
“When you hand him the ball we don’t have to rely on a match up or a route and the ball going from the quarterback to him in the air,” Satterfield said. “When you hand him the ball you know he’s touching it.”
South Carolina hits the road this weekend for a tilt against No. 16 Arkansas and will likely need Bell playing well in both phases to improve offensively.
“He needs to have a lot of touches,” Satterfield said. “His role will continue to grow carrying the football, running routes and doing anything we possibly can to get the ball in his hands. If you can get the ball in his hands in space it’s even better on the perimeter.”
