Bridgeton, NJ Alum Markquese Bell Named NFL Draft Prospect to Watch

Former Bridgeton Bulldogs standout Markquese Bell has made a name for himself and will be a part of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Bell left Bridgeton in 2017 to head to College Park, Maryland but left the school without ever appearing in a game for the Terps.  He made his way to Coffeyville Community College in Kansas for the 2018 season, before landing at Florida A&M University.

Now he is a name to watch in the upcoming NFL Draft after a season that saw him make 79 tackles, two sacks, one interception and four forced fumbles. His standout moment came in a game against South Florida, where he had 15 total tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble.

The 6’3, 215-pound safety was recently listed as one of five college football prospects to watch at ESPN.com by draft analyst Jordan Reid:

Bell is a versatile defender who could play as both a low and high safety in coverage. His physical presence against the run has helped him become one of the best small-school defensive prospects of this draft cycle.

The Bridgeton alum recently accepted an invitation to play in the East-West Shrine Game in January and is expected to be a fourth or fifth-round pick in April's draft.

He has been a force since joining the Rattlers football program in 2019, he made 63 tackles, including four for a loss, broke up nine passes and added five interceptions in his first season at FAMU.

The Rattlers did not have a season in 2020 due to COVID-19.