4-star WR Philip Bell gives insight into his recruitment process while deciding between Georgia, USC, Ohio State and Washington

Philip Bell, a four-star wide receiver, is set to announce his college commitment. After an impressive state championship season, Bell is now gearing up for his senior year, set to begin in Hawaii in just a few weeks.

Ranked No. 177 in the On3 Industry Rankings, Bell has carefully navigated his recruitment journey. He has visited top programs like Georgia, Washington, Ohio State and USC during the spring and summer. His decision, which he will publicly share on August 31, has been shaped by a few key factors.

"My mind is made up," Bell shared with On3. "The priorities for me throughout this entire process have remained consistent. I focused on development, finding a place where I can be happy every day, and choosing a program that aligns with my long-term goals. These considerations were crucial in guiding my final choice."

Although Philip Bell received offers from nearly every major program in the country, his decision ultimately came down to a select few schools.

“I was blessed to get every offer, and for a while, I was stuck on a couple of schools. I got later into my recruitment and I had to get deeper into things so I could make my decision.”

While the new coaching staff at Washington has continued to stay in touch, the real competition has been between Ohio State and USC. Both these teams have been vying for his commitment in recent months.

Reflecting on his journey, Philip Bell admitted that it wasn’t easy.

"There were moments when I was torn between schools," he explained. "Initially, USC was my dream school, and at one point, Tennessee was high on my list. But after Ohio State offered and I visited their campus, I was really impressed. Taking official visits to all the schools helped me make a very tough decision."

Philip Bell to commemorate mother’s life during college commitment

As Philip Bell's birthday approaches on August 30, he is preparing for a significant moment in his life. Earlier this summer, Bell tragically lost his mother, who would have celebrated her 40th birthday on August 25.

Despite her passing, the plan they had made together will go on as he honors her memory during his college commitment on August 31.

"My mom and I were going to celebrate her 40th birthday on the water at a yacht party on Aug. 31, and I was going to commit," Bell said. "That will still happen. She was part of this process with me."

Ranked 192nd in the ESPN 300, Bell is one of the top recruits in his class, with offers from prestigious programs including USC, Georgia, Washington, Penn State and Ohio State.

In his freshman year, Philip Bell recorded 56 receptions for 1,002 yards and 12 touchdowns. His sophomore season saw an increase in productivity with 73 catches for 848 yards and 20 touchdowns. While his stats dipped slightly last season, he still managed 56 receptions for 644 yards and seven touchdowns.