Markquese Bell

Total tackles:	95
Pass deflections:	4
Forced fumbles:	2
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

Markquese Bell
No. 14 – Dallas Cowboys
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	January 6, 1999 (age 26); Bridgeton, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:	Bridgeton
College:	Coffeyville CC (2018); Florida A&M (2019–2021)
Undrafted:	2022
Career history
	Dallas Cowboys (2022–present);
Roster status:	Active
Career highlights and awards
	First-team All-MEAC (2019); First-team All-SWAC (2021); FCS first-team All-American (2021);
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Total tackles:
Total tackles:	95
Pass deflections:	4
Forced fumbles:	2
	Stats at Pro Football Reference

Markquese Bell (born January 6, 1999) is an American professional football safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida A&M Rattlers.

Early life

Bell grew up in Bridgeton, New Jersey and attended Bridgeton High School.^[1] As a senior, he was the starter at quarterback and defensive back, tallying 885 rushing yards, 7 touchdowns, 76 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups and one forced fumble. He was a two-time second-team all-state selection and the 2015 South Jersey Times Offensive Player of the Year.

He was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college football at Maryland over offers from Ohio State, Rutgers, and Virginia.^[2]

College career

Bell accepted a football scholarship from the University of Maryland. He was suspended entering his freshman season due to a violation of the team's code of conduct.^[3] He was ultimately expelled from the school before ever playing in a game for the Terrapins.^[4]

He transferred to Coffeyville Community College for the 2018 season and made 52 tackles with two interceptions. After the season, Bell transferred to Florida A&M University.^[5]

As a sophomore in 2019, he started 11 games at safety, posting 61 tackles (5 for loss), 5 interceptions (tied for the conference lead), 9 pass breakups and 2 forced fumbles.

In 2020, he was not able to play, as the school opted to cancel its football games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a senior in 2021, he started 12 games, registering 95 tackles (led the team), 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, one interception, one pass breakup and 5 forced fumbles. He had 15 tackles (one for loss), one sack, and one forced fumble against the University of South Florida.

College statistics

Legend
Bold	Career high

Season	Team	GP	Solo	Ast	Tot	Int	Avg	Yds	TD	PD	FF	FR
2019	Florida A&M	11	39	24	63	4	9.7	39	0	-	0	0
2020	Florida A&M	Season cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021	Florida A&M	12	71	24	95	1	0.0	0	0	-	0	0
Total		23	110	48	158	5	4.8	39	0	-	0	0

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump
6 ft 2+1⁄8 in (1.88 m)	212 lb (96 kg)	32+3⁄8 in (0.82 m)	9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m)	4.41 s	1.51 s	2.56 s	4.37 s	7.25 s	36.5 in (0.93 m)	10 ft 3 in (3.12 m)
Sources:^[6]^[7]

Bell was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2022 NFL draft on May 1.^[8]^[9] He was declared inactive in 12 games. He appeared in 5 games as a backup and compiled one tackle on defense.^[10]

In 2023, after rookie DeMarvion Overshown suffered a season-ending injury, Bell passed Devin Harper on the depth chart for the strongside linebacker job. By the end of the season, the effectiveness of camouflaging safeties as hybrid linebackers eventually caught up with the Cowboys and the team was exposed defending the run game. Bell appeared in 17 games with 8 starts, registering 103 tackles (second on the team), 3 tackles for loss and 4 pass breakups. He had 8 tackles (one for loss) and one forced fumble in the season opener against the New York Giants. He made 7 tackles and one pass breakup against the Los Angeles Chargers. He had 10 tackles against the Detroit Lions. He made 9 tackles and one quarterback pressure in the 32–48 Wildcard Playoff loss against the Green Bay Packers. His efforts earned him the NFL's HBCU Spotlight Player of the Year award.^[11]

Bell made 9 appearances for Dallas in 2024, logging 6 combined tackles. On November 20, 2024, it was announced that Bell would require season–ending surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder he suffered in Week 11.^[12]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Tackles				Fumbles				Interceptions
Year	Team	GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	FF	FR	Yds	TD	Int	Yds	TD	PD
2022	DAL	5	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2023	DAL	17	12	94	61	33	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	4
Career		22	12	95	62	33	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	4

Postseason

Year	Team	Games		Tackles				Fumbles				Interceptions
Year	Team	GP	GS	Cmb	Solo	Ast	Sck	FF	FR	Yds	TD	Int	Yds	TD	PD
2022	DAL	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2023	DAL	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Career		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

References

^ McGarry, Mike (May 1, 2022). "Bo Melton, Isiah Pacheco and Markquese Bell celebrate the start of their NFL careers". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
^ Wasserman, Ari (January 1, 2017). "Markquese Bell, a four-star athlete and Ohio State target, commits to Maryland". Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
^ Wells, Adam (August 25, 2017). "Markquese Bell, Alex Woods Suspended by Maryland for Violating Code of Conduct". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
^ Markus, Don (November 7, 2017). "Suspended safety Markquese Bell announces he will be leaving Maryland". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
^ Henry, Jim (March 27, 2019). "FAMU four-star transfer Markquese Bell shines in spring camp". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
^ "Markquese Bell Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
^ "2022 Draft Scout Markquese Bell, Florida AM NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
^ Gehlken, Michael (May 2, 2022). "Cowboys S Markquese Bell one of 20 undrafted free agents to reach terms". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
^ Henry, Jim (August 30, 2022). "Undrafted in April, ex-FAMU star Markquese Bell makes Dallas Cowboys". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
^ "Markquese Bell 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
^ Alfano, Jonathan (January 31, 2024). "Cowboys Safety Named HBCU Player Of The Year". SI.com. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
^ "Cowboys' Markquese Bell to have season-ending shoulder surgery". espn.com. Retrieved November 21, 2024.

External links

[1] McGarry, Mike (May 1, 2022). "Bo Melton, Isiah Pacheco and Markquese Bell celebrate the start of their NFL careers". Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved August 31, 2022.

[2] Wasserman, Ari (January 1, 2017). "Markquese Bell, a four-star athlete and Ohio State target, commits to Maryland". Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.

[3] Wells, Adam (August 25, 2017). "Markquese Bell, Alex Woods Suspended by Maryland for Violating Code of Conduct". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 31, 2022.

[4] Markus, Don (November 7, 2017). "Suspended safety Markquese Bell announces he will be leaving Maryland". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 31, 2022.

[5] Henry, Jim (March 27, 2019). "FAMU four-star transfer Markquese Bell shines in spring camp". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 31, 2022.

[6] "Markquese Bell Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 16, 2023.

[7] "2022 Draft Scout Markquese Bell, Florida AM NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved January 16, 2023.

[8] Gehlken, Michael (May 2, 2022). "Cowboys S Markquese Bell one of 20 undrafted free agents to reach terms". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 31, 2022.

[9] Henry, Jim (August 30, 2022). "Undrafted in April, ex-FAMU star Markquese Bell makes Dallas Cowboys". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 31, 2022.

[10] "Markquese Bell 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2024.

[z880-11] Alfano, Jonathan (January 31, 2024). "Cowboys Safety Named HBCU Player Of The Year". SI.com. Retrieved September 2, 2024.

[12] "Cowboys' Markquese Bell to have season-ending shoulder surgery". espn.com. Retrieved November 21, 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]