By: Tom Williams | April 30, 2026
CLEVELAND, MS — Former Cleveland Central High School football standout Markel Bell is officially headed to the NFL after being selected with the No. 68 overall pick in the third round of the draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Standing at an imposing 6-foot-9 and weighing 340 pounds, Bell has steadily built a name for himself as a dominant force on the offensive line. His journey began at Cleveland Central High School before continuing at Holmes Community College, where he earned NJCAA All-American honors and was ranked the No. 1 offensive tackle among junior college transfers.
Bell later transferred to the University of Miami, where he played a key role in the Hurricanes’ run to the national championship game this past season. During the 2025 season, Bell started all 16 games and delivered an impressive performance, allowing zero sacks across 558 pass-blocking snaps. His efforts earned him third-team All-ACC honors, along with second-team Academic All-American recognition.
Reflecting on his journey, Bell shared how his love for the game began. “I joined football because my homeboy was playing. I found love in the game. I appreciate the people who introduced me to football,” he said.
Bell also spoke on his motivation to stand out and make a lasting impact. “I want to be different. I don’t want to be the one to come back to Cleveland and tell the stories—I want to be the story,” he added.
His talent drew interest from several major programs, including Ole Miss Rebels football, Mississippi State Bulldogs football, Auburn Tigers football, and Arkansas Razorbacks football, before ultimately choosing Miami.
Howie Roseman, general manager of the Eagles, praised Bell’s unique abilities and potential. “Markel Bell was a passion player for us. Obviously, unusual size and unusual length are hard to find. When you turn on the tape, he’s hard to get around in pass protection. This is a 21-year-old player who was the No. 1 junior college recruit in the nation,” Roseman said.
Bell said he always envisioned himself playing in Philadelphia. “I saw myself in Philly. I envisioned myself in Philly, and it came to reality. It’s no secret—I just worked my tail off every day. I went against great players and had a great coach behind me. I’m looking forward to doing the same thing in Philly,” he said.
From Cleveland to the national stage, Bell’s journey is a testament to hard work, determination, and believing in the vision. Now, as he begins his professional career, his story is just getting started.
Photo Credit: Markel Bell FB
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