Player Spotlight: Shawn Bell

The Baylor Bears have installed a new spread offense, and what better player to run it than the Big 12's most experienced quarterback. Senior Shawn Bell is looking to turn some heads this year as Baylor is one week away from their season opener.

With the quarterback position, a cannon arm and the ability to tuck the ball and run are things that most coaches desire. Baylor senior starting quarterback has a good arm and can escape pressure from the pocket, but the things that sets him apart from most is his knowledge of the system and his intelligence.

Last year, Bell completed 190 passes for just under 2000 yards in 10 games (9 starts). His completion percentage was nearly 60, while he threw 12 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions. Baylor's senior signal-caller will no doubt get more opportunities to throw, and has proven that he is one that takes care of the football.

Bell came up big in the season finale last year against Oklahoma State connecting on 22 of 35 passes for 272 yards and one touchdown as the Bears defeated the Cowboys. Additionally, Bell connected for 3 touchdowns and threw for 228 yards in a double overtime loss at Oklahoma. Coming off the bench last year against Missouri, Bell completed 18 of 29 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns in one half of play, and nearly led the Baylor Bears to a come-from-behind win.

But that was last year. Bell will be working with arguably the Big 12's best wide receivers. Seniors Dominique Zeigler, an All-American candidate, and Trent Shelton highlight a receiving corps that will likely make their names known around the country. Additionally, the new system provides for Bell to throw the ball 50 times a game or more. Other receivers such as Trey Payne, Mikail Baker, Terrance Parks, Carl Sims, Queito Teasley, and freshman phenom David Gettis will all be part of a receiving crew that provide Bell the chance to rise to the top of several Baylor all-time quarterback statistical categories.



Shawn Bell may not have an arm like John Elway; he may not have the feet of Michael Vick; but what Shawn Bell does have is the trust of his coaches and his players to lead this team onto the field and do what it takes to win football games.