Mike Bell

RB · Arizona
Bell is a well-built athlete who has drawn comparisons to former Green Bay Packers standout Dorsey Levens for his combination of power, quickness, balance, change of direction, agility and natural hands. The two-time Wildcats team captain is a classic example that with hard work and strong determination, a player of his ability can produce. Bell was a four-year standout at Tolleson High School. He received nine votes from the 10-member Best in the West coaches panel of the Long Beach Press-Telegram and was the premier running back on the Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100 list. He was a unanimous Arizona Player of the Year choice by the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Metro Football. Bell rushed for 2,484 yards as a high school senior, averaging 8.7 yards per carry, and became only the second player in state history to rush for 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons (added 2,038 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior). His 2,484 yards rank second in Arizona Class 4A annals behind former teammate Marcus Thomas (3,573 for Tolleson in 2002) and ranks fourth in state history behind Thomas, Mario Bates (2,740 for Class 5A Tucson Amphitheater HS in 1990 and 2,961 by Scooter Sprotte of Class 3A Lakeside Blue Ridge HS). In twelve games in 2000, the speedy power running back scored 35 touchdowns. His career rushing total of 4,692 yards stands as the second-best figure in state Class 4A history, topped only by Marcus Thomas' 5,878 yards in 2000-02. Bell also lettered four years in track and two years in basketball. He competed in the 100, 200, 300 IH, 110 HH, and 4x400 and 4x100 relays in track. Bell received the school's Academic Honor Roll and Outstanding Senior Award during graduation exercises. Bell sat out the 2001 season at Arizona, but earned five starts the following year. He led the team with 341 yards on 106 carries (3.2 avg) and a touchdown. Bell also added 136 yards and a score on thirteen receptions (10.5 avg). He then started ten of twelve games as a sophomore, again leading the team with 168 attempts for 920 yards (5.5 avg) and six touchdowns in 2003. He ran for 43 first downs, converting ten third-down plays, and also came up with six catches for 53 yards (8.8 avg). In 2004, Bell joined Hubert Oliver (1978-80), David Adams (1984-86), Ontiwaun Carter (1992-94) and Trung Canidate (1997-99) as the only players in school history to lead the team in rushing in three consecutive seasons. He totaled a career-high 950 yards with five touchdowns on 204 carries (4.7 avg). He registered 59 first-down runs, including 10 on third-down plays. Bell also caught 19 passes for 79 yards (4.2 avg). In 2005, Bell led the team with 952 yards and five touchdowns on 200 carries (4.8 avg). He ranked seventh in the Pac-10 Conference with an average of 86.5 yards per game rushing. 65 of his 200 attempts resulted in first downs, the third-best figure among Division 1-A running backs. He converted 18 third-down runs into first downs. Bell also added 197 yards on 18 catches (10.9 avg). In 46 games, Bell started 35 times. He carried 678 times for 3,166 yards (4.7 avg) and 17 touchdowns. Bell became the fifth Arizona player to gain over 3,000 yards rushing in a career and the fourth Wildcat in Pac-10 Conference annals. He had 187 rushing attempts that resulted in first downs, converting 39 third-down plays in the process. He also gained 465 yards with a score on 56 receptions (8.3 avg).