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With the No. 218 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears selected Kennesaw State defensive tackle Travis Bell.
Bell was a second-team All-Big South member in 2021, and in 2022, he tallied 30 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He is a stout, small-school defender, but one who tested very well at his Pro Day and offers some intriguing flashes on tape.
The Owls made history on Saturday, as Bell is the first player to be selected in the NFL Draft to come out of the FCS school. Kennesaw State’s football program just debuted in 2015, and though the likes of Dante Blackmon and Bronson Rechsteiner — current WWE Superstar Bron Breakker — have entered the NFL, Bell is the first player drafted to come out of the program.
Once Chicago made the pick, I headed to Twitter to put together a thread with a mini scouting report and notable clips regarding Bell.
THREAD: The #Bears take a shot on athletic tools with Kennesaw State DT Travis Bell in Round 7.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 29, 2023
Not a lot of tape available on Bell, but he’s an explosive defender with a quick first step and nice closing speed.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 29, 2023
He’s shown some flashes as a pass rusher, too. Stout defender with good pad level. #Bears pic.twitter.com/RbV6Fjh9hW
Hall has a penchant for making plays, with his situational awareness and active hands.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 29, 2023
He plays with a high motor and has shown very good effort at the point of attack. #Bears pic.twitter.com/PJoNI0rhnz
Here’s Travis Bell’s #RAS score. Shorter DT but offers impressive quickness and bulk.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 29, 2023
Will be interesting to see what Bell does with the #Bears. Taking a shot on athleticism at a need like DL this late is never a bad idea. pic.twitter.com/YBT7rllSYn
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