Safety Markquese Bell excited to carry HBCU banner, make impact with Dallas Cowboys
There has never been a question about Markquese Bell’s ability to hit and tackle.
But the Dallas Cowboys will soon find out that the former Florida A&M star safety is a quick study who is inspired by the things that mean a lot to him.
And after signing with the Cowboys as one of 20 undrafted free agents, who will join the team’s nine draft picks for the rookie minicamp Thursday-Saturday at the Star in Frisco, it didn’t take long for Bell to survey the roster and find out where he can make an impact on and off the field.
And that is making the team and carrying on the rich legacy of Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) with America’s Team that includes Hall of Famers Bob Hayes and Rayfield Wright, Thomas Henderson, Jethro Pugh, Ed Jones and Everson Walls to name a few.
“I know I am the only guy from an HBCU on this team,” Bell said. “That is attached to me. I want to make people respect HBCU dudes and stop overlooking us and thinking we are lower ranked and lower competition.”
One year after no players from an HBCU were selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, four were taken in 2022.
Bell was not among them but he was in high demand as a priority free agent after the draft. He is considered a developmental steal by the Cowboys, who gave him a $15,000 signing bonus and $200,000 guaranteed on his first year contract to win him over other suitors like the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Bell said. “Can’t wait to get out there. I’m living out my childhood dreams.”
Bell’s early focus is simple and straightforward. He wants to be a student of the game, come in with an open mind and learn from the older players, he said.
“I want to contribute on special teams. That is going to get my foot in the door,” Bell said. “I want to learn the playbook and get with some of the older guys that know the system and learn from them to help me get where I want to go.”
After a standout 2021 season at Florida A&M, it’s no surprise that Bell is here. He led the Rattlers to a 9-3 record, earning All-MEAC Honors with a team-leading 95 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 5 forced fumbles, 2 sacks and an interception.
Hitting and tackling were his calling card but the 6-foot-2, 212-pounder opened even more eyes at the NFL Scouting Combine in March when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.41 seconds.
“I shocked them a little bit with that 4.41,” Bell said. “No one expected that. I wanted to show them I could run as well as hit. Put both of those together and you got a mean combination.”
Bell said he is not worried about going undrafted. He just wanted an opportunity to showcase his skills and make the team.
“It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” he said. “Getting drafted wouldn’t guarantee me a spot on the team. I still had to go in and work for it. That is what I am here to do.”
It’s no surprise he is with the Cowboys.
It’s where he wanted to be.
And the Cowboys have shown interest in him since the fall with scouts coming by the school during football season. He had a formal interview with them during the scouting combine and was one of 30 players invited to the team’s headquarters for a pre-draft visit.
What he has been told so far is they plan to use him at box, safety, the slot and the middle of the field.
“They are just going to move me around and see what I can retain and how I can help the team in any way,” Bell said. “I am all for it. Whatever they need me to do, I will do.”
One thing is certain: he already likes the defensive philosophy of coordinator Dan Quinn.
“Every time we meet, he tells us, ‘We are going to hit. If we don’t do anything else, we are going to hit,’” Bell said in recalling Quinn’s words.
“I can do that. If nothing else, I can do that.”
The other undrafted rookies are: Florida running back Malik Davis, Central Florida defensive end Markaviest Bryant, Ole Miss wide receiver Dontario Drummond, James BYU center James Empey, Indiana wide receiver Ty Fryfogle, Texas Tech kicker Jonathan Garibay, Texas A&M linebacker Aaron Hansford, Indiana tight end Peyton Hendershot, Western Illinois receiver Dennis Houston, Liberty linebacker Storey Jackson, Boston College center Alex Lindstrom, Kentucky cornerbac Quandre Mosely, Wake Forest receiver Jaquarii Robinson, Harvard running back Aaron Shampklin, Texas A&M-Commerce tackle Amon Simon, Utah defensive end Mike Tafua, Southern California cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart, Geogia Tech safety Juanyeh Thomas and TCU safety La’Kendrick Van Zandt.
This story was originally published May 12, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
