BOTHELL — Trent Sewell looked around. He soaked it all in.

"Man, I don't remember being that small, that squirrely and jumping around," Bothell's standout receiver thought as he helped out at the Bothell Cougars Junior Football Camp in late July.

By the time the four-day event was over, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior realized he had learned as much from the campers as he taught them.

"It allowed me to explore my leadership skills, because not only am I trying to lead with my peers, but it also shows the younger kids a better example," Sewell said. "Whenever I can give back to the community of Bothell, I try to, and I always feel good about it."

By having players contribute to the camp, Cougars coach Tom Bainter's goal is for the athletes in his program to understand two things: What it's like to be a coach, and what it means to be a mentor.

"It's a mentorship to young kids, and that's where I think he just said, 'Wow, kids know who I am,' " Bainter said. "Kids recognize him, and there's a little responsibility that comes with that."

In addition to noticing his contribution to the camp, Bainter has been impressed with Sewell's dedication in the weight room.

"This year, he's working hard in the weight room with his team," Bainter said. "His teammates see that. His routes are even crisper and, man, his double moves are good. He catches every ball that's around him, the improvements you'd hope to see in any player from one year to the next. He's looking really good."

Sewell missed only one week of team lifting, and that was to attend one of the 10 out-of-state camps he fit into a busy summer. He was everywhere, including Boise State, Colorado, Utah, Virginia, Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oregon.

"At first it was a little rough, but I loved the experience," he said. "At the end of the day, everyone is trying to get to their end goal: an offer. But at some point you've got to take in the experience as well and really appreciate it."

Sewell has an offer from UCLA, but he hopes to get a few more before he makes a final decision.

After transferring from O'Dea after his sophomore year, Sewell was a fresh face at Bothell in 2010. The Cougars embraced their new addition, and he averaged 26 yards per catch and scored 13 touchdowns.

However, after a season in the system and the graduation of 44 seniors, Sewell is now expected to be one of Bothell's senior leaders.

"We have a lot of young players, and my goal is to lead and show all of my younger teammates this is how we do it, this is how Bothell does it," Sewell said.

Mason Kelley: 206-464-8277 or mkelley@seattletimes.com