Brian Bell

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

Position:
LB
Class:
Senior
Height:
6-3
Weight:
235
Hometown:
Valdosta, Ga.
High School:
Lowndes HS

As a Senior (2018): Invited to play in the 2019 SPIRAL Tropical Bowl ... Third-team All-MAC … started 10 games at Mike linebacker … had 63 tackles, a team-best seven break-ups, 3.5 TFL, two forced fumbles, a sack, and a hurry on the season ... in the win over Morgan State, had three tackles ... in the stunning win at Northwestern, tied his then-career-high with 11 tackles, including a career-best eight solo stops ... also had a career-high and team-best five break-ups en route to College Sports Madness’ MAC Defensive Player of the Week honors ... at Iowa State, had 10 tackles and a forced fumble ... against Miami, had six tackles ... missed the games with Kent State and Central Michigan (injury) ... against Northern Illinois, had a career-high 14 tackles, 2.0 TFL, and a nine-yard sack, his first ... at Eastern Michigan, had seven tackles and a break-up ... against Bowling Green, had seven tackles ... at South Carolina, had four tackles and a forced fumble … lettered … named Most Improved on defense following spring drills.

As a Junior (2017): Dean’s List student … played in all 14 games with 11 starts at SAM linebacker … also saw action on the kickoff return and punt return units … finished with 57 tackles, including 33 solo stops, 4.5 TFL, and a fumble recovery … in the Boca Raton Bowl, had five tackles … in the MAC Championship game against Toledo, had four tackles and a fumble recovery … in the win over Kent State, had seven tackles … had three tackles at Miami … in the win over Buffalo, had seven tackles … had five tackles at Toledo … in the win at Western Michigan, had five tackles … in the win over Ball State, had five tackles … in the MAC win at Bowling Green, had six tackles, including a TFL … returned to the starting line-up at Troy and had four tackles … lettered.

As a Sophomore (2016): Played in all 12 games with 10 starts at SAM linebacker … finished third on defense with 61 tackles, 4.0 TFL, and a hurry … had four tackles at Ohio … against Toledo, led the Zips with a career-high 11 tackles … at Buffalo, had five tackles, including a TFL … had four tackles against No. 23 Western Michigan … had five tackles in the win over Miami … had seven tackles in the win at Kent State … against Appalachian State, had nine tackles, including 2.0 TFL … had six tackles at No. 10 Wisconsin … in his first collegiate start, had five tackles against VMI … recipient of the Harry “Doc” Smith Award for defense … lettered.

As a Freshman (2015): Saw action in 12 games … one of six true freshmen to see game action … played on the kickoff and punt return units … had four tackles … in the win over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, assisted on a tackle … had a tackle against Central Michigan, at Eastern Michigan, and in the win over Buffalo … lettered.

High School: Two-time first-team All-State selection … played fullback, linebacker, and tight end for coach Randy McPherson at Lowndes HS … participated in the Rising Senior Bowl and North/South All-Star game … also wrestled … had the most wrestling pins as a freshman.

Personal: Born June 3, 1997 … parents are Rick and Karen Bell … has an older brother, Branden … father played football at North Alabama … criminal justice major.