Clemson targeting versatile DB Markquese Bell out of NJ

Defensive back Markquese Bell (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) of Bridgeton, New Jersey has had an offer from Clemson since February.

But it's only recently that he learned he had the offer from Brent Venables. And he's glad to know that now.

"I thought it would come when I visited," said Bell who plans to visit Clemson in June. "I really can't explain it. It's one of the top schools in the country and they are looking at me. It made me feel special that a school like that is interested in me. I'm hearing from Coach Venables every day. He says he likes how physical I am and how I play the game."

Bell can play corner or safety. He's a receiver and quarterback in high school. The Tigers like him as a safety and he's been impressed with what Clemson has done with its secondary in recent years.

"They produce DBs," he said. "They sent a lot of DBs to the league and develop them at their level."

Bell has visited Florida, N.C. State, Rutgers, Temple and Maryland and is going to Michigan this weekend. He no longer has a favorites list and he's interested in digging deeper into Clemson.

"Clemson is a school I would like to learn more about and get down there and visit," he said.

Bell plans to take some official visits before deciding and will wait until signing day for that. Last season he had 60 tackles with two interceptions. He also caught 52 passes for 792 yards and 11 touchdowns.

This story was originally published April 1, 2016 at 11:27 AM with the headline "Clemson targeting versatile DB Markquese Bell out of NJ."