Rivals250 ATH Markquese Bell: "Michigan is near the top"

Rivals250 athlete Markquese Bell has a top ten and is trying to get closer to a commitment. The Bridgeton, N.J. star took a big step in that direction by visiting Michigan last weekend.

IN HIS OWN WORDS

On the campus and coaches: "I got to see the dorms, the new indoor facility, and the business center," said the 6-foo-3, 190-pound Bell. "I was really interested in that. It was better to talk to the coaches in person and see how they really are. I got to talk to coach Harbaugh and a couple different coaches. We talked about life after football, what Michigan has to offer if I don’t make it to the league, all the connections they have, all the football aspects, and that they are in a great conference."

On being familiar with other players and recruits: "It was fun being with all the New Jersey guys because they made it feel like we were back in New Jersey," he said. "I had a good time."

On what he saw during the spring game: "I liked the defense they are running because it’s kind of the same defense we run," Bell said. "I understood it."

On where Michigan stands now: "Michigan is near the top," he said. "I don’t have a specific number."

WHAT'S NEXT?

Michigan will get an official visit from Bell but the others are still up in the air. In the meantime he will take a handful of unofficial visits with his 7v7 team to schools like Clemson and a few others in the south. A decision date seems to be pretty far off in the distance.

RIVALS' REACTION

This latest visit to Ann Arbor solidified Michigan's position as possibly the team to beat for Bell. Maryland and Penn State seem to be in good position as well but Bell's recruitment won't really start coming together until he takes more visits to the other schools in his top ten.

If anybody was wondering how good an athlete Bell is, he is doing track and field right now. He said he runs the 100m in 11.1 seconds and his best high jump is 6-10. Bell was the top high jumper in New Jersey last year.