Fourth-year offensive lineman Bryce Bell was ranked among the Top-20 CFL Draft prospects on the latest release of the national scouting bureau rankings.
While not being ranked in the first edition of the CFL’s list back in the fall, Bell is ranked as the 20th best prospect and the only player from an Ontario school to be listed. Bell is among three other USPORTS players from the RESQ and Canada West leagues in a list that is full of Canadian talents who are playing south of the border.
While the CFL Draft has primarily takes place each year in May, the league has not announced when the 2021 Draft will take place due to the pandemic. The CFL also gave all players the option to defer their eligibility and draft year to the following season, which 132 student-athletes decided to choose.
The 6’4, 290-pound business major joined the Golden Hawks in 2016 and although he didn’t play a single game, he was able to learn from a provincial championship winning team. Bell played in all 26 games over the following three years with the Hawks, starting at right tackle in 16 of them during his final two seasons.
“He has a great understanding of opposing defensive systems and players. On top of his great knowledge of the game, Bryce has an incredible work ethic,” Coach Faulds said in a statement to Laurier Athletics.
In his 24 regular season games and two playoff games with Laurier, Bell was a part of a great offensive line. Leading the way for All-Canadian running back, Le’vondre Gordon, the Golden Hawks ranked second in the OUA in total rushing yards and first in sacks allowed during the 2018-2019 season (both years Bell started).
The Waterloo native is the first Laurier offensive lineman to be named onto the Scouting bureau’s rankings and the 11th overall Golden Hawk to receive the ranking.
The CFL scouting bureau is comprised of CFL scouts, as well as player personnel, directors and general managers from the nine teams a part of the CFL.
Not only has Bell shined on the field but Coach Faulds has spoken highly of him as a student as well. “Bryce is one of the most intelligent players we have ever had at our football program,” Faulds said in the statement.
Throughout his four years at Laurier, Bell has set himself up for success. While there is no firm date, Bell will most likely hear his name called this spring in the upcoming CFL Draft, while he will also finish his business degree.
