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Michigan’s Ronnie Bell is one of the most underrated players in the Draft

Long-time Michigan standout Ronnie Bell is a hidden gem in this year’s NFL Draft.

Published

1 month ago

February 11, 2023

Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Ronnie Bell (8) scores on a 34-yard catch and run against the TCU Horned Frogs in the second half of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After playing five seasons in the Maize and Blue, Michigan’s Ronnie Bell is off to bigger and better things. The Wolverines’ star wide out has entered his name into the NFL Draft, participated in the Senior Bowl, and will be an attendee of the 2023 NFL Combine ahead of the draft in April.

Despite his stellar performance at Michigan, Bell is not as sought-after on many draft boards as you’d expect. Bell is bound to be a hidden gem for a lucky franchise.

Ronnie Bell commits to Michigan football

Out of high school, 247 Sports lists Ronnie Bell as a three-star composite recruit — he ranked No. 1,473 nationally, No. 212 among receivers, and No. 18 in Missouri. Bell is a product of Park Hill High School in Kansas City, MO.

Despite being one of the less sought-after players out of high school, Michigan football helped develop Ronnie Bell into a star during his five years in Ann Arbor. Many remember Bell making clutch catches for the Wolverines in 2018 and 2019 — though these same fans also remember his crucial drop against Penn State in the Wolverines’ 28-21 loss.

In hindsight, that drop only made Bell a better player — the Wolverines defeated No. 8 Notre Dame, 45-14, the following week and ended up finishing 9-3 that season. Bell may have seemed like an undersized, less-talented prospect, though his time with the Wolverines reflects the opposite.

Ronnie Bell becomes a star in Ann Arbor

As I said, Ronnie Bell saw ups and downs throughout his five seasons with the Wolverines. As a freshman in 2018, Ronnie Bell caught eight passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns during the Wolverines’ 10-3 campaign. During his sophomore year, Bell became one of Shea Patterson’s favorite targets, hauling in an impressive 48 passes for 758 yards and one touchdown.

Bell, like everyone else, during the COVID-19 season in 2020, saw limited action with the Wolverines — he caught 26 passes for 401 yards and a touchdown.

2021 was a disappointing year for Bell, though it was anything but his fault. After being named a team captain, Ronnie Bell caught one pass during Michigan’s Week 1 victory over Western Michigan; it was a 76-yard deep ball from former QB Cade McNamara, which went for six.

Sadly, Bell tore his ACL on a punt return and was sidelined for the remainder of Michigan’s 12-2 Big Ten title season.

In Michigan’s most recent season — an incredible 13-1 Big Ten title campaign in 2022 — Ronnie Bell was again one of Michigan’s leaders and became JJ McCarthy’s favorite target throughout the season. As a 5th-year senior, Bell caught 62 passes for 889 yards and four touchdowns as the Wolverines cruised through their schedule to the College Football Playoff.

Bell has been an instrumental part of the Wolverines’ culture change and will be missed by many. No one will miss Bell like his quarterback, rising junior JJ McCarthy. Bell ends his Michigan football career as a two-time All-Big Ten selection, a two-time Big Ten Champion, and a five-year letterman in the Maize and Blue.

Ronnie Bell will be a steal in this year’s NFL Draft

Many are concerned about Ronnie Bell’s NFL Draft stock because of his size and “talent” level, though this far in his career, Bell has already proven that neither issue is a factor in his on-field results.

Bell earned All-Big Ten honors repeatedly, helped Michigan win two Big Ten titles, and more. He was also a favorite receiver of four different quarterbacks throughout his time with the Wolverines: Shea Patterson (2018-19), Joe Milton (2020), Cade McNamara (2020-21), and JJ McCarthy (2022).

Bell’s work ethic and drive will guide him to success at the next level — he is speedy, shifty, has excellent hands, and will make an NFL coach very happy over the next few years of his career.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other steaming platforms.

Related Topics:Big Ten Featured JJ McCarthy Michigan Michigan football NFL Draft Shea Patterson Wolverines

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Ohio State player takes shot at Michigan football at NFL Combine

A former All-Big Ten Buckeye had some choice words about the Wolverines during the combine.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 5, 2023

CJ Mangum

Nov 27, 2021; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) runs the ball in for a touchdown defended by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Cameron Brown (26) at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

There has been plenty of talk about the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry this week throughout the NFL Combine. The top athletes from Ohio State and Michigan football are showing off and showing out, and with that, there have been quite a few questions about ‘The Game’ from reporters. During the combine, former Ohio State cornerback Cameron Brown had some words for the Wolverines.

What did Brown say about Michigan football?

First off, Buckeye corner Cameron Brown claimed that he has had “No issue” with the Wolverines that he has seen during the combine workouts. Still, he followed it up with a shot at Michigan football:

[Michigan football players] can’t talk to me much,” Brown said with the implication that the Wolverines aren’t on his level. “[Michigan] won two games in the last 15,” Brown said, “They got it. They can have that.” According to Cleveland.com, Brown said that watching Michigan celebrate both wins like it had won something bigger than one game – parading around the field, planting their flag at midfield in Columbus – struck him as funny.

It is notable to point out that Cameron Brown will leave Ohio State with a losing record against Michigan football as a starter, and his last game in ‘The Shoe’ was a 45-23 beat down at the hands of Harbaugh’s Wolverines.

Michigan, Ohio State players appear to be getting along fine

Throughout the week, former Buckeyes and Wolverines have had shockingly kind words of one another at the combine. Former Michigan football standout Mike Morris had nothing but good things to say about a few of the Buckeyes that he had met, and the same was true of Ohio State players with some Wolverines. Things aren’t getting too chummy, but there may be a little hope that Wolverines and Buckeyes can get along.

For now, the rivalry can be settled on the field, just as Michigan football has done in blowout fashion for the past two years.

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WATCH: Ronnie Bell has insane one-handed catch at combine

Does this look familiar or what, Michigan fans?

Published

2 weeks ago

March 5, 2023

CJ Mangum

Does this look familiar, Michigan football fans? It should, because once again, former Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Ronnie Bell is turning heads on the biggest stage. During Bell’s combine performance on Saturday, he somehow snagged a ball out of the air with one hand after slipping up — it was arguably the most impressive moment of the day in front of the NFL’s top scouts.

Ronnie Bell snags ball one-handed

Here is the clip of Bell’s catch:

Nice little one-hander from @UMichFootball WR Ronnie Bell. 🖐️

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/BC8ezTZzLS

— NFL (@NFL) March 4, 2023

This is a familiar sight for Michigan fans

All Michigan football fans should not be surprised at Bell’s catch, after all, he did the exact same thing (in a game) against Western Michigan in 2021. Sadly, that catch was called back, so Bell followed it up with an incredible 76-yard touchdown grab soon after.

Now, Bell is in front of the nation’s top scouts trying to make an impression on his draft stock ahead of this year’s NFL Draft in April. He will need more than just one impressive catch at the combine; however, this is a good start — as many know, Bell is an incredible receiver with great hands, speed, and plenty of heart. No matter where he ends up, we’re confident that Bell will make an immediate splash in the National Football League this fall.

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Michigan football likely won’t have a first round draft pick in 2023

Of the nine Michigan Wolverines heading to this year’s NFL Draft, none are projected higher than mid-2nd round.

Published

1 month ago

February 16, 2023

CJ Mangum

Oct 2, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Chase Wolf (2) is sacked by Michigan Wolverines linebacker David Ojabo (55) and defensive end Mike Morris (90) during the fourth quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Well, it’s that time of year again — the NFL Draft is fast approaching and much of the talent that made the 2022 college football season fun is preparing to make the jump to the next level. Michigan football is no stranger to this time of year, U-M holds the longest NFL Draft streak in the nation, though the Wolverines usually expect to have at least one of its star players go in the first round.

This year may be an exception to that, which is especially odd considering the fact that Michigan football won a Big Ten Championship a season ago and finished with a 13-1 record; in fact, the season before, the Michigan Wolverines saw similar success, going 12-2 and winning the Big Ten title. It’s an odd phenomenon, but don’t expect a ‘Michigan Man’ to get his name called on day one of the NFL Draft.

Who is Michigan football putting in the draft?

Despite having zero projected first rounders in this year’s NFL Draft, the Wolverines are putting the most talent into the league of any team in the conference. Michigan leads the Big Ten with nine players heading to the NFL Combine before the draft, though there is a chance that not all nine are picked up immediately, and may have to wait until after the draft to sign with a team.

Here are the nine Michigan Wolverines looking to make an NFL roster:

Ronnie Bell, WR
Ryan Hayes, OL

Jake Moody, K
Olu Oluwatimi, OL
Mazi Smith, DL

Mike Morris, DE
Brad Robbins, P
Luke Schoonmaker, TE

DJ Turner, DB

Of these Wolverines, only one is projected to be drafted within the first two rounds of the NFL Draft: Mazi Smith. In fairness, some of this has to do with positional value — Robbins and Moody would be far higher on some mock drafts if punters and kickers were as valuable as running backs and wide outs.

Only one Wolverine projected to go in second round

According to NFL.com’s most recent 3-round mock draft, Mazi Smith is the first Wolverine off the board, going No. 42 overall to the Cleveland Browns. There, he would join former Michigan legends Donovan Peoples-Jones and Chase Winovich.

After Smith, the next Michigan football alum off the board is Mike Morris, who is projected to go at No. 179 overall to the Indianapolis Colts — this would be a great fit for Smith, who is used to playing in Indy from his days as a Wolverine. The other seven Wolverines are all projected to go after the third round.