Wolverine Digest

WATCH: Ronnie Bell Makes Big Plays In 49ers Debut

The former Michigan wide receiver looked like he's ready for the NFL after Sunday.
Trent Knoop|
WATCH: Ronnie Bell Makes Big Plays In 49ers Debut
WATCH: Ronnie Bell Makes Big Plays In 49ers Debut

In this story:

Michigan WolverinesSan Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers may have gotten themselves a major sleep in the 7th round of the 2023 NFL draft this past April when they took Michigan wide receiver, Ronnie Bell. 

Bell made his 49ers debut on Sunday and the five-year Wolverine did not disappoint. In fact, he was one of the bright spots on the 49ers team.

San Francisco had Bell returning kicks and punts on top of lining up as a receiver. Bell finished as the top receiver against the Raiders. His stat line on Sunday looked like: three receptions for 58 yards, one carry for 15 yards, and three kick returns for 57 yards. 

I found three different highlights from Bell's NFL debut on Sunday. The first one shows Bell returning a kick and trucking a Raiders player while making others miss.

The next play shows 49ers' QB Sam Darnold throwing a strike to Bell. The Michigan receiver gets off the line, beats his man, and catches a ball that he has to reach for. 

The final play, which was tabbed as the "Ronnie Bell game" showed Bell making a great catch in traffic before getting hammered by a Raiders defender -- he still held on for the catch.

Published
Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

Share on XFollow @trentknoop
Home/Football