All Yellow Jackets

2025 4-Star DB Jaylen Bell Talks Recruitment and Why He is High On Georgia Tech

Bell is a name to watch for the Yellow Jackets in their 2025 recruiting class

Najeh Wilkins

2025 4-Star DB Jaylen Bell Talks Recruitment and Why He is High On Georgia Tech
2025 4-Star DB Jaylen Bell Talks Recruitment and Why He is High On Georgia Tech /
In this story:

It’s rare to see a player of this caliber still available even in the early recruiting cycle, but Jaylen Bell’s recruitment is fully open after he decommitted from LSU on February 2nd, via his X account. Here is what he had to say about the decision.

“I decommitted from LSU. A new staff came in, and my parents just thought it was the best decision for me and my recruitment. Take time with my recruitment and make the best decision for us,” said Bell.

Don’t expect Bell to commit or make a decision anytime soon. He is going to evaluate everything and weigh his options. For now, he is just enjoying the process, and taking his time with his recruitment. There are several schools that have been contacting him frequently, and here is who has been in touch the most.

“Schools contacting me right now are Indiana, Miami, Georgia Tech for sure, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, and a bunch of other schools. Those are the main ones hitting me every single day asking how I am doing and caring about me as a person. They also hit up my family and make sure the family is good,” said Bell.

As far as visits go, Bell is still organizing, but has another visit to Georgia Tech coming up and one to Miami at the end of March.

“No officials but I do have one school coming up. Georgia Tech soon and Miami on March 29th. I am very excited to get to Miami. Coach Chevis Jackson has been hitting me up every day and asking me how I am doing. We have been building that bond and connecting. I am excited to get down there and get with all the other coach staff,” said Bell.

Jaylen Bell With Grayson Rams/Photo By Najeh Wilkins 

Bell took a visit to the Flats back in early February right after his decommitment.

“It was great. Coach Ricky Brumfield was tight to my family the whole ride. The facilities were really good. I definitely could see myself being there. The coaching staff made it feel like home. They made it feel like just stay home and play here. All the presentations and meetings went great. I really enjoyed it,” said Bell.

Georgia Tech already has a strong connection with Bell. It starts with defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci. They both share something in common and come from the same place.

“Coach Santucci is really close with the family. He is from New Jersey too. He’s really close to my father. Coach Santucci has talked about me getting there and learning the playbook, and definitely being a part of that family. Him being from New Jersey, he knows what it is like coming from up there. With the film I produced, the work I have been putting in, he already knows I am going to be one of a kind," said Bell.

“I definitely feel like Georgia Tech is up there with Miami, Texas A&M, and Indiana."

Despite Georgia Tech hiring new defensive back coach Cory Peeples, it changes nothing for Bell.

“Coach Cory Peeples offered me at Georgia State. There is really no difference, it just translates over to Georgia Tech,” said Bell.

There are several things a program has to check off for Bell. It's bigger than football and all about building a relationship and making it stronger.

“I look for coaches who want me and need me. Not the other way around. I don’t want to waste my time on someone who doesn’t want me for real. Coaches that care about me as a person outside of the sport of football. Someone who will help me prepare and develop," said Bell.

He credits his stellar play to his dad Marion Bell, who is the head coach at Southwest Dekalb here in Atlanta. Also, his trainer has had a big impact on his game.

“One thing I can tell you is that I have been doing this for a very long time. I’ve been training with my father since six years old at Union High School in New Jersey," said Bell. "Every Sunday with my father just repping over and over again. I am still doing it just trying to be consistent with my craft. Every day I am harping at it. With Oliver Davis coming into my life and training me, he’s really making a difference. With him on my side and my father it just makes me better every single day. We just keep stacking days."

Bell also plays for former Heisman Trophy winner, MVP, and Carolina Panther great Cam Newton 7 on 7 team.

“It’s always a great time playing with Cam Newton. It’s amazing. I feel like everybody should have that opportunity because it gives you a big stage. He is a very competitive person. He brings a lot of energy to the team every single game, every single walk-through, every single practice. He is a great coach to the youth. Having him as a coach is like a dream come true," said Bell.

Bell is a can’t miss prospect and would be a great addition to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. His physicality at the cornerback spot and closing speed on routes is second to none. He has phenomenal technique and doesn’t get turned around. Bell can guard speedy slot wide receivers or bigger outside receivers. He has exceptional ball skills and plays the ball well when it is in the air. There is nothing you can’t ask him to do on the football field.

He models his game after former Washington CB Jabbar Muhammad, who is now an Oregon Duck.

“He’s a dawg. He plays feisty and strong. He plays with a lot of confidence. He does that box celebration that every defensive back does nowadays. I just like the way he plays. He is a real inspiration to me right now," said Bell.

Watch the full interview: 

Published
Najeh Wilkins
NAJEH WILKINS

Najeh Wilkins covers football and basketball for Georgia Tech Athletics at FanNation. He has experience in recruiting, hosting, play-by-play, and color commentary.

Home/Football Recruiting