Bell will be a Rocket

East Grand Rapids, Mich., linebacker Robert Bell has seen two of his brothers and a cousin make their college selections in the last five years, but Wednesday was Bell's turn to have the spotlight. The 5-11, 225-pound 'backer received an offer from Toledo and did not wait to make his choice.

"My position coach, (Mike) Ward, and the head coach, (Tim) Beckman, came over and we sat down and talked for a good 45 minutes to an hour just about life in general. Then we got down to business and they gave me the official letter for my scholarship. I accepted it as soon as they gave it to me. It feels good to finally get the pressure off.

Just a week ago, Bell was ready to make a decision for another Mid-American Conference School, but he took a step back and reassessed the process.

"I went on an official visit to Eastern Michigan the weekend previous to this one. I had my mind set on Eastern, but in talking to my parents, they wished I gave it (more time)," Bell said. "My dad showed me Toledo and we went on an official visit this past weekend. I fell in love with how everything is structured. It kind of blew me out of the water.

"The academic department they have is all structured so that if you fail, it is your fault with all the help that they offer. It's a family philosophy where they are there for you. There's a tradition there and the coaches are positive and sure they are going to win this year."

Bell has been a standout on two state championship teams for East Grand Rapids, starring at both fullback and linebacker. Toledo, though, plans to use him strictly on the defensive side of the football.

"They'd like to play me at linebacker," Bell said. "They have a "Star" linebacker which is like a Sam backer in a 4-3. Basically you are everywhere – blitzing and in coverage. They saw me coming off the edge in high school, so they know I can run. They saw me play basketball, so they know I can move. If I get bigger, like they think I will, they'll move me back to inside."

Bell had an official visit planned to Miami (Ohio) this weekend, but now that he has pledged his services to Toledo that trip will not be taken.

This commitment will pit Bell against his cousin, Demarcus Grady who plays quarterback at Northern Illinois, on a yearly basis.