by Brett Cass, staff writer

   It was the state semi-finals. Carroll quarterback Blake Bell took a shot some 20 or 30 yards down field to his receiver, who took the wrong route. The pass was intercepted, and the defender returned the ball downfield. He was close to scoring when out of nowhere, he was drilled by someone. That someone was Bell, who is now the new tight end for the San Francisco 49ers.
This is the kind of intensity that Bell played with in every football game, and still does today. He was rewarded recently when he was the 117th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, taken in the fourth round.
Bell told Tyler Emerick of 49ers.com “I got that call today and it was unreal,” Bell said. “I’m just glad they gave me an opportunity, and I’m pumped.”
In 2009, his senior year, Bell threw for 2,752 yards with 32 touchdowns. After that, he signed to Oklahoma University. Bell was known as “the Belldozer” at Oklahoma, where he officially switched positions from quarterback to tight end successfully.
“It was a good switch as far as advancing his career to the NFL,” said Carroll Coach Dusty Trail. “He could have had opportunities as a quarterback, but he has bigger opportunities at tight end. It was a smart decision of him to tell the OU coaches he’d switch to tight end.”
“It was my decision and ever since I made the switch, I haven’t looked back,” Bell said in an interview with 49ers.com
At 6 feet 6 and 252 pounds, Bell is by far one of the biggest tight ends in the NFL. Despite his size, Bell runs a fast 4.80 second 40 yard dash. His huge 10-inch hands make it very easy for him to catch passes. All this put together is a great set of tools for the rookie Bell, and with his work ethic legendary to Bishop Carroll football, should make him a success in the NFL.
“Blake’s a really passionate football player with a level head,” said Carroll Coach Chris Jaax. “He’s also huge, and fast, and he has an understanding of the game that most guys don’t. Coaching a player like him was a special opportunity that few people get, and it made me a better coach because of it. We’re really proud of everything he’s accomplished.”
At Carroll, Bell used to stay late during workouts and work to better himself and his teammates. He established football traditions that are still used today at Carroll, including seven-on-sevens during the summer.
“I’m proud of playing a small part in his career, but I’m more proud of him,” said Trail. “It’s fun to watch his career advance, and it makes the NFL more interesting for me knowing I’ve had the good fortune to coach an NFL player.”