Markel Bell

BIRDSEED

► football journey began seventh grade, when he was first exposed to

organized sports because his friends were playing ... Began playing as a

lineman and hit a major growth spurt the summer before his freshmanyear of high school going from 5'9 to 6'4 ... Despite excelling In basketball and football at Cleveland (MS) Central High School, didn't earn any

starts and wasn't heavily recruited... Decided to go the junior college route and earned the No. 1 OT ranking by 247Sports In the 2024 class before committing to Miami

► Earned second•team Academic All-American honors from College Sports Communications after earning a 3.78 GPA and graduating from Miami as an American studies major

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

► Began his career at Holmes Community College (2022-23) before transferring to Miami (FL) (2024-25) to conclude his career ... Played 29 games (21 starts) with the Hurricanes, helping the team win 10+ games in consecutive seasons and make an appearance In the 2026 CFP National Championship game

► As a senior In 2025, started all 16 games. earning third-team All-ACC honors and anchoring an OL that helped the Hurricanes rank 1st in the ACC in passing efficiency (165.5) and 2nd in points per game (34.I), helping Miami win the Cotton and Fiesta Bowl playoff matchups

► In his first season with the Canes, appeared in 13 games (five starts),

blocking for an offense that led the country In points per game (43.9)

and yards per game (537.2) ... Aided Cam Ward in becoming the first

Heisman Trophy finalist from Miami since 2002 and the program's third

ever winner of the Davey O'Brien Award (nation's top QB)