For a while, Bacone College didn't think it had a chance to sign James Bell.

The Warriors finally got their man, though, when the Sallisaw standout inked a letter of intent earlier this summer to play football for them.

Bell attracted plenty of interest from NCAA Division I recruiters during his career as a Black Diamond and he said Bacone backed off for a while after showing some early interest.

All that changed while Bell was visiting his father in Texas.

"Bacone thought I was being recruited by a bigger school and stopped talking to me or sending me anything," said Bell. "Then, in June, when I was at my dad's house, they called my mom and said they were interested."

The signing of Bell will strengthen the offensive line at Bacone. A 6-foot-7, 360-pound tackle, Bell earned numerous honors as a senior. He was voted District 4A-4 Offensive Lineman of the Year, named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association Class 4A All-Star Team and played in the Lake Eufaula Iron Bowl Classic.

Bell moved into Sallisaw's starting lineup as a sophomore and counts that year's Class 4A state championship game against Clinton as one of his biggest highlights with the Diamonds.

"I think the best thing was when we went to state. Even though we lost, it was pretty amazing being there," he said.

Bell was a three-year starter on Sallisaw teams that compiled a 32-6 record and the Diamonds came within one win of reaching the state title game again this past fall.

Now he's ready to move to Muskogee and start attending college and playing for Bacone.

"It's a nice campus. I haven't really had a chance to get the know the coaches, but I've heard the program up there is pretty decent," said Bell, who anticipates running into more players his size in the college game.

"Everybody's going to be stronger and faster," he said. "When I went up to Bacone, half the freshmen linemen that are coming in are as big as me or bigger."

Bell is the second Sequoyah County player to sign with Bacone this year. Running back Kevin John of Gans signed with the Warriors in February.

Bacone is entering its fourth season of football since bringing back its football program in 2001. Head coach David Ross led the Warriors to a 5-6 season this past fall. They are a member of the Central States Football League and compete at the NAIA level.

The Warriors open practice on Aug. 7 in preparation of the season-opener at Missouri Southern on Aug. 28. The home opener at Muskogee's Indian Bowl is set for Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. against Texas College.