Florida State Tight End Ranked Fifth in PFF Draft-Eligible Tight Ends Ahead of Season

After Florida State’s first winning season since 2017 with a 10-3 record as well as a Cheez-It bowl victory, the program gained a lot of attention, not only among fans but among transfers as well. With so many new additions to the team, it is no surprise that the Seminoles have some expectations to meet.

Jaheim Bell is one of the first additions to the team that put FSU at the top of the transfer portal rankings. Ranked first among all tight ends and eighth overall among transfers according to 247sports, he is expected to make an immediate impact on the field.

Pro Football Focus’s Max Chadwick recently identified the top ten draft-eligible tight ends to know ahead of the 2023 season. Bell slotted in at No. 5, which is no surprise given what he did the last two years at South Carolina.

"Bell was criminally underutilized by South Carolina in 2022," Chadwick wrote. "The junior saw only 28 targets this past season, ranking 91st at the position. He even played some running back for the Gamecocks, as his 257 rushing yards led all tight ends in the country."

"He runs like a running back, too. In 2021, his 354 yards after the catch trailed only Brock Bowers among Power Five tight ends," Chadwick continued. "He also led the position with 3.67 yards per route run. Even that year, his 41 targets still ranked 42nd at the position."

Despite coming off an underwhelming 2022 season at South Carolina where he saw just 28 targets, Bell showed a lot of promise as he had 25 receptions and 231 receiving yards. Additionally, Bell ranked first in rushing yards amongst all tight ends with 257 yards, it is worth noting he was used as a running back in some games.

In his redshirt freshman season in 2021, Bell started only five games and had 30 receptions for 497 yards and 5 touchdowns. That season Bell ran the ball just seven times for a total of 40 yards. He was given All Bowl-Team honors (Associated Press) and Second Team All-SEC honors (PFF) following his 2021 season.

While PFF has Bell ranked fifth amongst draft-eligible tight ends, he was used much differently than those ranked above him, so things could change now that he is playing for the Seminoles.

With quarterback Jordan Travis at the helm, running back Trey Benson in the backfield, and wide receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman coming off stellar 2022 seasons, the additions of Bell and Kyle Morlock at tight end could take FSU’s offense to a new level this fall.

Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the offseason.

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