Image 1: OT Markel Bell (70) blocking EDGE AJ Green (17) in pass protection
Height: 6’9
Weight: 340
Position: OT
Year: Senior
Background
Image 2: OT Markel Bell (78) at Holmes Community College
Markel Bell is a former zero-star recruit in the class of 2022 coming out of Cleveland Central High School in Cleveland, Mississippi. Due to a combination of limited camp exposure, playing at a small high school, and being technically raw, Bell received minimal recruiting attention despite being his massive size. Though he had offers from various HBCUs, Bell decided to go JUCO and commit to Holmes Community College with the goals of developing further. After two season of fixing his body and refining his technique, Bell entered 2024 as a four-star JUCO prospect and was graded as the top OL recruit in the class. Despite having offers from big in-state schools like Ole Miss and Mississippi State, Bell ultimately committed to Miami.
As a Hurricane, Markel Bell was initialled viewed as a developmental prospect who would hopefully take over for Jalen Rivers once Rivers entered the draft. After Rivers suffered an injury that required him to miss time, Bell spot started at OT throughout Miami’s 2024 campaign. Even after Rivers was healthy, Miami continued to develop Bell by rotating him in at OT with Rivers kicking inside to OG. Entering the 2025 season, Bell is Miami’s starting LT and has made major improvements in his senior season. As one of the biggest risers in this class, Bell is a player I believe will shoot up draft boards as the season progresses and All-Star games begin.
Athletic Tools
With a 6’9 and 340 lb frame with 36.5 inch arms, Markel Bell is one of the largest and longest OT prospects ever. Bell’s exceptional length makes it incredibly easy for him to make first contact with his punches in pass protection. In addition, Bell is great at using his length to establish leverage by getting under the pads of defenders. Not only is Bell incredibly long, but he is incredibly strong. With great hand heaviness, grip strength, and core strength, Bell has reps where he overwhelms defenders with his power. In terms of his mobility, Bell is a poor movement athlete, but he has very quick feet which allow him to mirror effectively in his pass sets. Though the limits of his range will be tested by elite speed and get-off athletes, Bell’s length and strength should let him still be effective in pass protection in poor athleticism matchups.
Video 1: OT Markel Bell (70) lands his punches on EDGE D.J Harris (11), then uses his length to gain leverage and lock out Harris
Video 2: OT Markel Bell (70) stalls out EDGE Joshua Burnham (40) who cannot match up with Bell’s grip strength and anchor
Video 3: OT Markel Bell (70) flashes good foot speed when mirroring EDGE Denard Flowers (15) in his pass set
Due to his lack of mobility and awkwardly tall frame, Bell is a limited run blocker. Because of his height and pad level, Bell is unable to consistently get underneath the pads of defenders to generate push in the run game. Even when not drive blocking, Bell is an easy lineman to shed when base blocking due to always being at a leverage disadvantage. When blocking on the move, Bell is a very awkward, slow athlete that is not going to be a major asset in open space in the run game. Though he can be an effective backside blocker, Bell’s limitations are going to make him struggle to do anything beyond simple assignments in a gap-heavy run scheme.
Video 4: OT Markel Bell (70) works a double team with OG Matthew McCoy (78), but fails to generate any push in the run game due to his high pad level
Video 5: OT Markel Bell (70) fails to get leverage on a base block against DT Traevon Mitchell (8) who is able to shed the block and make contact with the RB
Video 6: OT Markel Bell (70) is slow when climbing to the second level and fails to seal S Adon Shuler (8) from getting involved in the pile
Video 7: OT Markel Bell (70) sealing the backside against EDGE Joshua Burnham (40) on Miami’s gap run concept
Technicals
For a player who a raw former JUCO prospect a few years ago, Markel Bell has made significant strides in his pass protection technique. In terms of his punch technique, Bell is good at consistently making first contact with powerful, accurate strikes. Though he is generally consistent, Bell has reps where he is late and will suffer loses from power from players getting under his pads. When in these situations, Bell has developed an effective ability to recover by resetting his feet and sinking his hips. In terms of his footwork in his pass set, Bell has very consistent, quick strides in his sets while maintain a consistent base to avoid heel clicking.
Video 8: OT Markel Bell (70) initially loses to power when punching EDGE Rico Watson III (34) late, but he recovers well by resetting his feet and sinking his hips
Video 9: OT Markel Bell (70) initially loses leverage against EDGE Denard Flowers (15), then sinks his hips to reestablish his leverage advantage
Video 10: OT Markel Bell (70) maintaining his frame with quick, clean footwork while gaining depth against EDGE DJ Harris (11)
In terms of technical issues, Bell’s height and limited athleticism create major issues for him in the run game, as mentioned previously. In pass protection, Bell needs to get better at recovering on inside counters. While part of this stems from his lack of quick-twitch athleticism, Bell has a lack of awareness when defenders cross his face or when he occasionally over-sets. Bell will never be a high-end recovery player in the NFL, but there is potential for him to improve as he gets more snaps. Though he gets away with it due to his length, Bell does tend to punch early, which has led to ugly reps when he gets out of position.
Video 11: OT Markel Bell (70) is mirroring against EDGE Bryce Young (95) on an RPO, but he lacks the quickness to counter against Young’s inside counter
Video 12: OT Markel Bell (70) oversets when trying to get depth against the 9-Tech which allows a free rusher on the inside counter and forces QB Carson Beck (11) to escape the pocket
Video 13: OT Markel Bell (70) fires early and fails to make solid contact against EDGE Boubacar Traore (5) who forces the QB to escape the pocket
Draft Projection
Markel Bell currently has a second-round grade. Though there are technical lowlights on film, Bell’s progression and great frame makes me bullish on his NFL projection. While he would benefit greatly with time on the bench to get adjusted to NFL-caliber speed athletes, Bell is capable of seeing early playing time. Although he is too scheme-limited and unathletic for a true first-round grade, Bell with the right fit on a gap-heavy run team (ex. Packers, Rams, Cardinals, etc) could allow him to return first-round value as a multi-year starter at OT.
Athletic Testing
Will be updated after the NFL Combine/Miami Pro Day
Pro Comparison
Image 3: OT Orlando Brown Jr (75) during the 2024 season with the Cincinnati Bengals
With both being mountain-sized men, it is easy to see similarities between Orlando Brown Jr and Markel Bell. Despite being a limited athlete, Brown has been a good starter at OT due to his high-end technique, strength, and size. Although Brown was more technically as a draft prospect, Bell’s rapid growth and current technical refinement makes me believe he can develop into a player similar to Brown. Both Bell and Brown are not fits in many schemes due to their run game limitations due to their height and movement, but they can be quality starters in the right offense.
Date Published: 10/20/2025
Date Last Updated: 10/20/2025