Michigan star WR Ronnie Bell declares for 2023 NFL Draft

Michigan football wide receiver Ronnie Bell has officially announced he’ll declare for the 2023 NFL draft.

Unsurprising, but significant

While this shouldn’t necessarily surprise most loyal fans, this is still a significant loss for the Wolverines. Earlier this season, coach Jim Harbaugh had already hinted at Bell to the NFL. Still, had he wanted to, Bell could have returned as he still had a remaining year of eligibility thanks to the COVID-19 year and a season-ending injury one year ago.

4L ? pic.twitter.com/YAif3vrkAn

— Ronnie Bell (@Ronnieb_8) January 5, 2023

Despite coming to Michigan as just a 3-star recruit in 2018, Ronnie Bell made an immediate impact, appearing in all 13 games as a true freshman. Lucky for the Wolverines, this wasn’t just any old flash in the pan, as Bell now leaves Michigan as one of the most successful wide receivers in recent memory.

Career with Michigan

Finishing his career with 145 receptions for 2,269 yards and nine touchdowns, Bell now sits in the top 10 all-time in both receptions and receiving yards. Saving his best for last, he ended the 2022 season with 62 catches for 889 yards and four touchdowns, all being career highs for him.

In addition to his success on the field, Bell has served as a leader for the Michigan football team for years. He’ll finish his career as a two-time team captain, earning the distinction in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Despite his season-ending injury in 2021 against Western Michigan, Bell stuck with the team and came back even stronger the following year. He was a leader through-and-through, and has proven to be an excellent example of late Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler’s phrase, “Those Who Stay Will Be Champions.”

Ronnie Bell will leave Michigan football as a two-time Big Ten Champion, and was a significant part in bringing the Wolverines back to their winning ways.

NFL Future

While Ronnie Bell has proven to be more than successful donning the maize and blue, he still has quite a bit to prove in terms of translation to the NFL. His current draft stock leaves lots to be desired, as he’s still relatively undersized regarding NFL wide receivers. Still, if there’s anything he’s proven in his time in Ann Arbor, it is that he doesn’t care what the odds are.

He’s done nothing but prove people wrong when they doubt him, and he’ll likely continue this into his professional career. Bell is the kind of player that does everything right and more. He rarely drops the ball, and if he has the endzone in sight, he becomes tough to bring to the ground.

No matter what his NFL career looks like, he will forever be viewed as a Michigan football legend. Bell will participate in the annual Senior Bowl this February, so keep an eye out for him as he continues to try and build up his stock going into the NFL Draft in April.