High School: Four-year letterman at West St. John High where he played both offensive and defensive line for coach Robert Valdez...named a two-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com...tabbed the No. 70 weak-side defensive end in the nation by 247Sports.com, the No. 131 defensive end in the country by ESPN.com and the No. 173 end by Scout.com...received a 67 Scout Grade and listed as the No. 57 recruit in the state by ESPN.com while claiming an 80 rating and the 165 prospect in the state by 247Sports.com...also listed as the No. 48 recruit in the state in the Times Picayune Nifty 50...helped lead the Rams to a combined 34-19 overall record, a 17-2 showing in District 9-1A action, four trips to the state playoffs - including a title-game appearance as a junior - and back-to-back 5-0 district titles his final two prep seasons...as a senior, claimed all-state, all-metro and all-district honors after posting 47 tackles, six sacks among 17 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles...as a junior, named honorable-mention all-district.
Personal: Born Eric L. Bell on Aug. 10, 1994, in Houma, La...son of Kim and Erica Merrick...undecided on major...chose Tulane over Memphis, Minnesota, North Texas and ULM.