Now or never for Razorback senior Jamario Bell

https://247sports.com/college/arkansas/Article/Jamario-Bell-Arkansas-Razorbacks-production--134243362/

Jamario Bell has finally settled into a position at defensive end for Arkansas, and he has one more opportunity to leave his mark as a senior in 2019.

Bell, 6-5, 265, played in 11 of 12 games for the Hogs in 2018, racking up 20 total tackles and 11 solo stops. Athletic for his size, the Junction City (Ark.) product showed out in a 37-33 loss to Ole Miss at War Memorial Stadium, making a tackle for a 5-yard loss, forcing a fumble and hurrying the quarterback. The big end showed flashes of greatness, but he needs to put it all together in his final season of eligibility.

“Jamario, same way, now it's time,” Arkansas head coach Chad Morris said. “It's time. You've been here, been in the program, you're from Arkansas it's time now to really take it over the top. Really come in here and really make a difference in your position room. We've challenged him, Coach Caldwell has challenged him. What we've seen this summer he has met the challenge. He has had a really good four days. Very active, he's long, we need some production out of that position and him.”

Bell has had quite the journey during his Razorback career, recruited as a D-end, he was moved to tight end the spring prior to his freshman year. After redshirting in 2016, he moved back to the defensive side of the ball to linebacker. He didn’t see any action as a linebacker in 2017, and he missed the first 10 games of his sophomore season due to a foot injury. It wasn’t until last year, as a defensive end, that the former 4-star was able to contribute.

“He’s utilizing himself, being confident in what he’s got,” Senior defensive end Gabe Richardson said Monday. “I mean, a guy like that? You’ve got to use him somewhere. Having him on that strongside where he can get his hands in front of the quarterback, take away the vision a little bit, he’s going to bat some balls and get some sacks. Do what he’s supposed to do.”

Bell is one of three senior defensive ends on the Razorback roster that is expected to contribute in 2019, including Richardson and Dorian Gerald. Richardson and Gerald are both products of junior college, and like Bell, only have one more season to play football in the SEC. Through four practices this fall, all three ends have rotated with the first group.

“Gabe, Dorian and Jamario are three guys that we have to have production from for that position to be successful for us.,” Morris said. “Well, Dorian is a guy that’s got 114, or 100 and whatever the season is, so his whole career comes down to the next 114 days and how he approaches one day at a time, how his preparation is. So, really we’re challenging those guys. You got to prepare every day as if it’s your last day because it’s ticking down for them. So, I’ve seen a difference in Dorian, I really have. Gabe, again, he’s a true leader. Gabe is vocal and he’s holding his own out there. He’s doing some good things and helping provide some depth at that position.”