Markquese Bell

Markquese Bell

Bell looks to follow up a stellar 2019 campaign, in which he recorded 63 tackles, nine pass breakups, five interceptions, and four tackles for loss. Bell also earned 2021 Athlon Preseason All-American honors, 2020 College Sports Journal Preseason FCS All-American, 2020 All-MEAC Preseason selection, 2019 BOXTOROW All-American. The Rattlers, who are making the move to the SWAC this season, played three games during the pandemic. In 2019, Bell, a ball-hawk, had 61 tackles and five interception. Bell was a key component in helping lead FAMU to the 2019 Black College Football National Championship and a Top 25 finish. It was the first time since 2009 that the Rattlers completed a season nationally ranked.  He originally started his career at Maryland before transferring to Coffeyville Community College, he selected FAMU over Nebraska. During his senior year at Bridgeton (N.J.) High School, Bell excelled at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. He threw two touchdown passes and rushed 145 times for 885 yards with seven scores. On defense, he had 76 tackles and two interceptions. He was selected as an Under Armour All-American. At Maryland he suspended prior to the start of the 2017 season. The details surrounding the suspension weren’t announced. “He obviously has the physical attributes. Being an All-American four-star recruit coming out of high school, you typically expect a different caliber athlete,” FAMU football head coach Willie Simmons told to the Tallahassee Democrat in 2019.  “He’s every bit of that. He’s 6’3″ 220 pounds and probably runs 4.40-4.45 40. His football IQ is through the roof. He works extremely hard. Now, it’s about continuing to get consistency from him on the field and in the classroom. He changes the dynamic of our defense. Being a physical presence on the back end, that gives us the flexibility of mixing things up on the front end.”

Alcorn State’s Qwynnterrio Cole (32) is being celebrated by his teammates after getting an interception against Prairie View A&M last season. (Photo by Courtland Wells of The Vicksburg Post)