Emerging DE Has Skills
Every recruiting season has a share of players who are very athletic but have something that keeps them from being a mainstay prospect.
Sometimes it’s height, sometimes it’s weight, sometimes it’s speed and sometimes it’s all three.
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There is a very athletic defensive end from Oakland, Calif., who doesn’t have the weight, yet, but he sure has the upsides and the talent to play on the D-I level.
The defensive end in question is Lionel Shell (6-3, 185, 4.65) from Oakland (Calif.) McClymonds. He has very long arms and has a great motor.
“Lionel has a great motor and never quits on a play,” McClymonds head coach Alonzo Carter said. “He is relentless when he is on the football field.”
“Lionel has a great frame,” Carter said. “He could grow to 6-foot-4 and weigh up to 245 or 255 by the time he gets to college.”
“Lionel is very similar to DeWayne LeFall who played for us,” Carter said. “Lionel had the same body type of LeFall and now LeFall is 6-foot-4 and weighs 255. He now starts for Akron University of the MAC. I believe the same thing will happen for Lionel.”
“Lionel is a raw prospect with great athletic skills,” Carter said. “His only downside is he’s a bit underweight at this time, but the potential is there.”
Shell has good strength for a lanky, long armed kid. His bench is 245 and his squat is 365. He has also recorded a 37-inch vertical, proving his explosion off the ball and his overall athletic talent.
Shell was selected all-league for his efforts on the gridiron as a junior. He is also a standout basketball player.
Oregon, Washington State, Wyoming and UNLV are seeing the big picture with Shell and are showing interest in the talented and potential filled defensive end from McClymonds.