Florida A&M's DB Markquese Bell Will Enter 2022 NFL Draft
Markquese Bell and Xavier Smith sat next to Florida A&M head coach Willie Simmons awaiting questions from the media shortly after the Rattlers' disappointing 38-14 loss to Southeastern Louisiana in the 2021 FCS Playoffs. Both players were handling the finality of their collegiate careers.
I read about Bell's 2022 NFL Draft projections and was curious to know his thoughts.
Florida A&M's HC Willie Simmons, S Markquese Bell, WR Xavier Smith; Credit; Kyle T. Mosley, HBCUS Legends; Nov. 27,2021, Hammond, LA; FAMU vs. SLU in first round of FCS Playoffs
So, in that cold auditorium room in at Southeastern Louisiana, I asked Markquese Bell about the possibility of playing in the HBCU Legacy Bowl and other bowl games. The despondent player responded that he "hadn't decided" on a bowl or his plans.
However, on Tuesday, Bell posted his intentions on social media. "NFL Draft 2022, Here I Come!"
FAMU Safety Markquese Bell; Credit: Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends; Nov. 27, 2021; Hammond, LA
Here is Markquese's entire post:
"My decision to come to FAMU was one of the best decisions of my life. This journey has been unbelievable, and the success we've enjoyed as a team this year has been truly remarkable and something I will always cherish and never forget. I want to thank my teammates for all the support and hard work they've put in to get this program to championship caliber and my coaches for pushing me to be a better man first and foremost and helping develop me into the player I am today.
Last, but not least, to the FAMU fans! What a joy and honor it has been to play in front of you. You all have truly been a blessing in my life, to which I feel I owe a great deal of gratitude for all the love you've shown me for day one. I will always bleed orange and green, and to that, I salute.
NFL Draft 2022, Here I come!" wrote Bell.
Credit:© Tori Lynn Schneider/Tallahassee Democrat via Imagn Content Services, LLC
NFL Draft Projection for Bell:
- SI's NFL Draft Bible's Leinweber, wrote on Bell in August 2021: "Big, hard-hitting safety with above-average straight-line athleticism. Bell is a segmented mover with a stiff lower half and unreliable tackling." I have seen Bell play, he has improved in his tackling and not stiff.
- Haroun Savage of HBCU Scouting Report, projects Bell in the first three rounds of the draft.
- On3's Matt Zenitz on Bell: "At least some in the scouting world view Bell as an early-round prospect. “He’s big and rangy, and he’s physical,” a scout told On3. “He’s a very willing tackler. Very productive at that level. He’s standing out.”"
Height: 6-2; Weight: 205 pounds; 40: 4.4; Projects as a Free Safety in NFL.
I will have more NFL Draft coverage on Bell and other HBCU players in January.