September 12, 2009

Cornerback Tre Bell has committed to the University of Florida. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

JERSEY CITY – As a kid growing up,  the University of Florida was Tre Bell's favorite team. So when the team he rooted for made an offer to join them as a player, it was an opportunity Bell couldn't pass up.

Bell officially made a verbal commitment to continue his career at Florida, selecting the SEC school over nearly 20 others who had offered the St. Peter's Prep junior a scholarship.

"That was my favorite team growing up," Bell said. "When we went there, my mother fell in love with it, my father fell in love with it, I fell in love with it. I asked my father if I should pull the trigger (and commit) and he said yeah. I just wanted to be a Florida Gator."

Bell, a 5-foot-11 cornerback, received his offer from Florida, the 11th school at the time to offer him. He first started being contacted by the school last fall.

"I started getting mail from them during the season, but I didn't take it that seriously," Bell said. "I hadn't really been talking to the coaches and (the offer) just came randomly. When it came, I was like wow. This was a visit I made sure I wanted to take and we fell in love with it."

Bell held 19 scholarship offers from across the country as he selected Florida over Notre Dame, Rutgers, South Carolina and West Virginia among others.

Ranked as the No. 30 cornerback prospect in the country by Rivals, Bell  is the son of East Orange Campus head coach Marion Bell and has earned praised for his football IQ and his ability to use his length to his advantage against receivers. The 170-pound junior admits he needs to work on improving speed, which is why he joined St. Peter's track team for the first time.

A two-year starter at cornerback, Bell recorded 36 tackles, three interceptions and 10 passes defended. As a wide receiver, he caught 10 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown.

Prep WR/CB Tre Bell catches a two-point conversion last year vs North Bergen. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)