Freshman running back LaMarcus Bell (21), pictured during Fall camp.
Photo by: Anna Fuder/Utah Athletics
Newcomer Notebook: LaMarcus Bell
8/18/2026 10:51 AM | Football
Three-star freshman adds talent to competitive running backs room
SALT LAKE CITY — The Newcomer Notebook adds another installment with Fall Camp continuing for the Utah football team. Throughout camp and leading up to Utah's season opener, UtahUtes.com will visit with various additions to the team and introduce the squad's newest members to Utah fans.
One of the new faces in the running backs room is freshman LaMarcus Bell, a three-star recruit who was rated as the No. 2 player out of Oregon in his signing class. The Portland native and Lake Oswego standout was part of a state title-winning team in 2025, on the heels of Bell being named Class 6A Player of the Year in 2024.
Bell, who goes by the nickname 'Bam,' had a breakout high school junior season that saw him earn 173 carries for 1,538 yards and 25 touchdowns.
You're a few weeks into camp now; how's it been so far?
"I love it here at Utah. It's been everything I've always wanted. We have the best coaches here. It's been great."
What led you to your decision to come to Utah?
"Coach Atuaia and Coach Scalley were big motivators in me choosing Utah. When Coach Scalley was named head coach, I knew it was the beginning of a new era and I was ready to be part of it. I've known Coach Atuaia for a very long time. He was a key factor for me as well in deciding to come to Utah."
How'd you get your nickname, 'Bam'?
"My mom gave it to me. When I was younger, I used to run into walls all over the place!"
You're from Oregon—if Utah fans could know one thing about your home state, what would that be?
"It's definitely a rainy place. But it's got a lot of trees and a lot of green out there. It's a beautiful place if you explore enough."
Flip the question; what's one thing about Utah that you'd want people in Oregon to know?
"It's hotter than I thought. I thought it was going to be snowy and cold all the time. But it gets hot out here."
How would you describe your style of play?
"I'm a very dynamic runner. I can do a lot of things in between the tackles and outside the tackles."
How's the competition going in the running backs room and what are you learning?
"It's definitely a great competition with some of the greatest running backs in college football. Wayshawn Parker and Daniel Bray are two good players. Learning behind them and doing stuff with them is pushing me that much further. And I'm excited to share what I can do for the team too."
What are you liking about this offense as a whole?
"I like how the running backs are tested, especially with receiving skills. That's something in my game that I want to work on and get better at."
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Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
One of the new faces in the running backs room is freshman LaMarcus Bell, a three-star recruit who was rated as the No. 2 player out of Oregon in his signing class. The Portland native and Lake Oswego standout was part of a state title-winning team in 2025, on the heels of Bell being named Class 6A Player of the Year in 2024.
Bell, who goes by the nickname 'Bam,' had a breakout high school junior season that saw him earn 173 carries for 1,538 yards and 25 touchdowns.
You're a few weeks into camp now; how's it been so far?
"I love it here at Utah. It's been everything I've always wanted. We have the best coaches here. It's been great."
What led you to your decision to come to Utah?
"Coach Atuaia and Coach Scalley were big motivators in me choosing Utah. When Coach Scalley was named head coach, I knew it was the beginning of a new era and I was ready to be part of it. I've known Coach Atuaia for a very long time. He was a key factor for me as well in deciding to come to Utah."
How'd you get your nickname, 'Bam'?
"My mom gave it to me. When I was younger, I used to run into walls all over the place!"
You're from Oregon—if Utah fans could know one thing about your home state, what would that be?
"It's definitely a rainy place. But it's got a lot of trees and a lot of green out there. It's a beautiful place if you explore enough."
Flip the question; what's one thing about Utah that you'd want people in Oregon to know?
"It's hotter than I thought. I thought it was going to be snowy and cold all the time. But it gets hot out here."
How would you describe your style of play?
"I'm a very dynamic runner. I can do a lot of things in between the tackles and outside the tackles."
How's the competition going in the running backs room and what are you learning?
"It's definitely a great competition with some of the greatest running backs in college football. Wayshawn Parker and Daniel Bray are two good players. Learning behind them and doing stuff with them is pushing me that much further. And I'm excited to share what I can do for the team too."
What are you liking about this offense as a whole?
"I like how the running backs are tested, especially with receiving skills. That's something in my game that I want to work on and get better at."
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.
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