smallcollegefbfan
January 8th, 2008, 07:22 PM
NATCHITOCHES — Northwestern State All-America offensive tackle Demetrius Bell has been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine next month in Indianapolis, where he will be among than 300 NFL Draft-eligible players going through workouts and testing helping teams determine their priorities for April’s NFL Draft.
Bell received his invitation last month. Participants are selected by a committee including scouting combine directors and members of various NFL player personnel departments, with each athlete reviewed and voted upon by the committee members, according to the NFL. The number of players from each position varies from year to year. Last year there were 50 offensive linemen invited, with a high of 66 in 2003 during the last six years.
The NFL Network provides extensive coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine, which lasts from Feb. 20-26. All 32 NFL teams have large contingents on hand to observe the workouts and administer tests and conduct interviews with players participating. The complete list of invited players will be announced Feb. 1.
Last month, Bell was named first-team Associated Press All-American and made the College Sporting News Fabulous 50 All-American Team.
He is the 39th All-America player in school history and the eighth player to earn that honor in Scott Stoker’s six seasons as head coach.
Bell (6-5, 283) helped clear the way for Demons' junior tailback Byron Lawrence to lead the Southland Conference with a 125.1 yards per game average. Bell had never played organized football at any level prior to 2005, when he redshirted in basketball after playing for the Demons for two seasons.
Bell played defensive end in his first season, 2005, getting into just one game. He was shifted to starting left offensive tackle three weeks before the 2006 season opener. He started all 22 games since then, earning second-team All-Louisiana honors last season in media voting, then getting first-team All-Southland Conference honors for this season chosen by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
This fall, Bell had 50 knockdown blocks and five games of 80 percent or better grades, leading the offensive line in grades six times.
Bell reluctantly decided to forgo his senior season of basketball so he could focus on his pro football opportunities. He was an All-State and honorable mention All-America basketball standout at tiny Summerfield High School, which did not field a football team. He played in 88 basketball games, including starting twice last season, for coach Mike McConathy's Demons.
Bell received his invitation last month. Participants are selected by a committee including scouting combine directors and members of various NFL player personnel departments, with each athlete reviewed and voted upon by the committee members, according to the NFL. The number of players from each position varies from year to year. Last year there were 50 offensive linemen invited, with a high of 66 in 2003 during the last six years.
The NFL Network provides extensive coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine, which lasts from Feb. 20-26. All 32 NFL teams have large contingents on hand to observe the workouts and administer tests and conduct interviews with players participating. The complete list of invited players will be announced Feb. 1.
Last month, Bell was named first-team Associated Press All-American and made the College Sporting News Fabulous 50 All-American Team.
He is the 39th All-America player in school history and the eighth player to earn that honor in Scott Stoker’s six seasons as head coach.
Bell (6-5, 283) helped clear the way for Demons' junior tailback Byron Lawrence to lead the Southland Conference with a 125.1 yards per game average. Bell had never played organized football at any level prior to 2005, when he redshirted in basketball after playing for the Demons for two seasons.
Bell played defensive end in his first season, 2005, getting into just one game. He was shifted to starting left offensive tackle three weeks before the 2006 season opener. He started all 22 games since then, earning second-team All-Louisiana honors last season in media voting, then getting first-team All-Southland Conference honors for this season chosen by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
This fall, Bell had 50 knockdown blocks and five games of 80 percent or better grades, leading the offensive line in grades six times.
Bell reluctantly decided to forgo his senior season of basketball so he could focus on his pro football opportunities. He was an All-State and honorable mention All-America basketball standout at tiny Summerfield High School, which did not field a football team. He played in 88 basketball games, including starting twice last season, for coach Mike McConathy's Demons.