All eyes on how, and where, South Carolina uses Jaheim Bell in 2022 season
South Carolina tight end Jaheim Bell is all over the place.
He’s listed as a tight end on the roster, but that doesn’t fully describe his game. He can line up next to the offensive line, or he can split out wide. He can run routes, or he can take carries in the backfield.
“There’s really no telling with ’Heim,” USC wide receiver Dakereon Joyner said. “He’s a guy that you never know what area he’s gonna come from.”
With his heightened NFL stock, he’s appearing more often in mock drafts. Bell also made the watch list for the John Mackey Award, given to the best tight end in college football.
His versatility stands out to many in the college football world heading into 2022, and the Gamecocks are taking advantage of his skillset.
“We just have to be smart,” offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said. “Don’t ask him to do 1,000 things and be average at those 1,000 things. Just find those two or three different things that make him different, and let’s be great at those.”
Evolving roles of tight ends
Bell’s game is consistent with the evolution of the tight end position.
College and NFL teams are becoming more creative with how tight ends are used. They are used increasingly more often as big pass catchers, though they still help with blocking duties. Some tight ends are used in the fullback role, lining up in the backfield like Bell does for USC.
Bell is joined in the tight end room by two key transfers — Austin Stogner from Oklahoma and Nate Adkins from East Tennessee State. The trio is expected to see most of the action at the position this year.
South Carolina’s tight end coach, Jody Wright, says his players are on board with how they’ll be used.
“It’s an exciting position to coach, and we’ve got an exciting group of guys that have really embraced that role of playing multiple positions and doing multiple things,” Wright said.
Wright said Bell takes on the “dirty work” that’s asked of him. Wright said there’s much for Bell to improve on, but his natural gifts help him make big plays.
“He’s athletic, he’s explosive with speed,” Wright said. “He’s a smart guy that understands where he’s lining up and mismatches.”
Former USC running back Marcus Lattimore recently mentioned the idea of Bell getting 100 carries in 2022, a big step up from the seven he received last year.
“I just feel like Coach (Satterfield) is gonna put me in positions to help this team win,” Bell said. “Whether that’s in the backfield, at receiver, tight end, doesn’t matter. Where he puts me, I’m gonna do it 100%.”
Breakout games last season
Bell’s abilities mostly came in flashes last year.
He turned heads with his Duke’s Mayo Bowl performance in December, racking up 159 yards and two touchdown receptions. Bell also chipped in 21 rushing yards with three carries.
His other standout game came against Vanderbilt, where he recorded 136 receiving yards and a touchdown. Bell even returned a kick for 22 yards.
Bell had more receiving yards in those two games than he did for the other 11 games in 2021 combined, though he played with a host of different quarterbacks. With Spencer Rattler now at the helm, he should see more consistency with who targets him.
Bell has dealt with his share of injuries as well. He tore an ACL during his senior year of high school. This spring, he was sidelined with a hamstring injury. He said he went into fall camp feeling back at 100%.
“I feel better than I did last year,” Bell said.
Away from the field
Bell fashions himself as an elite recruiter on the team, using Twitter to point out his perfect record when hosting prospects.
“I’m undefeated with recruits!!! everyone they give me they commit,” he said via social media July 4.
He wants the prospects and their families to know they’d be welcome at South Carolina, saying he takes care of them at team dinners.
“Whenever those guys come in, I just treat them like they’re our little brother,” Bell said. “Whatever they need, I got it.”
Bell’s also tried his hand at some NIL deals.
He partnered with PSD Underwear last year and a deal with the car dealership La Porte CDJR this year. Currently, Bell has his own clothing line online.
On3’s NIL Valuation — a calculation of value based on performance, influence and exposure — places Bell’s NIL value at $385,000.
“NIL has been a great thing to me,” Bell said. “It’s probably going to be a lot more stuff coming once the season comes in.”
Within the lines, Wright describes Bell as a competitor. He wants Bell to channel his passion for the game into his efforts to get better.
After missing time in the spring, Wright believes Bell will come in focused in the Gamecocks’ season opener.
“It really drove him crazy, I think, not being able to go through spring training,” Wright said. “He’s a guy that loves to compete.”
With the spurts of brilliance he showed in 2021, all eyes are on how USC will use Bell’s talent in 2022.
But Bell isn’t looking to build from last season.
“Last year was last year, so I’m leaving that in the past and I’m just bringing new attributes to this season,” Bell said.
