Markquese Bell

Markquese Bell's Biography

Born on January 6, 1999, Markquese Bell is a determined and formidable athlete known for his professional American football career. Currently, he plays as a safety for the renowned Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). Markquese’s journey reflects a tale of consistent growth and surefire dedication that saw him become a significant figure even amidst the highly competitive turf of the NFL.

Markquese’s life began in Bridgeton, New Jersey, where he spent his childhood years and got his first taste of football. He attended Bridgeton High School where, as a senior, he cemented his position as a standout football player. He was the team’s starter at the dual roles of quarterback and defensive back. His versatility led the team with an impressive record of 885 rushing yards, seven touchdowns, 76 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and caused one forced fumble. His exceptional talent and performance on the field made him a two-time second-team all-state selection and earned him the title of the 2015 South Jersey Times Offensive Player of the Year.

As an accomplished high school football player, Markquese was a four-star recruit. He had a difficult decision to make when he found himself courted by Ohio State, Rutgers, and Virginia. Nevertheless, he elected to commit to playing college football for Maryland over these prestigious alternatives. Maryland was delighted to offer Markquese a football scholarship. Unfortunately, his college football journey began with a setback. Upon entering his freshman year, he was suspended due to a violation of the team’s code of conduct, leading to his expulsion from the University of Maryland before he could play a single game for the Terrapins.

Markquese did not let this barrier deter him. Instead, he transferred to Coffeyville Community College for the 2018 football season. Here, he demonstrated his skills yet again, putting up a solid defense with 52 tackles along with two interceptions. Unsatisfied, Markquese then decided to elevate his game even further by transferring to Florida A&M University.

Within the realms of college football, Markquese Bell marked 2019 as an exceptional season. As a sophomore, he began as the key starter in 11 games as a safety. His season highlights boasted of 61 tackles, of which five were for a loss, five interceptions that tied up the lead for the conference, nine pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.

Unfortunately, the 2020 season was a tough year for athletes worldwide because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Florida A&M University was no exception, and the school opted to cancel its football games. Markquese’s senior year in 2021, however, saw him back in action. In 12 starting games, he led the team with a staggering 95 tackles, along with 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, one pass breakup, and five forced fumbles. His showdown against the University of South Florida was memorable, where he registered 15 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.

After his college football career, Markquese transitioned into the professional scene. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2022 NFL draft on May 1. His rookie season saw him as inactive in 12 games, playing five as a backup while making a single tackle on defense. It was not until 2023 that he got his major breakthrough.

After rookie DeMarvion Overshown suffered a season-ending injury, Markquese outstripped Devin Harper on the depth chart for the position of the strongside linebacker. His talent shone brightly by the end of the season. Despite the team experiencing some struggles in their run game defense, Markquese played a notable role, appearing in 17 games and making 8 starts. He tallied 103 tackles, second highest on the team along with 3 tackles for loss, and 4 pass breakups. His exceptional plays against the New York Giants, the Los Angeles Chargers, and the Detroit Lions, as well as his impressive performance in the 32–48 Wildcard Playoff loss against the Green Bay Packers, etched his name deeper into the NFL’s record books. His spectacular performance throughout the season earned him the NFL’s HBCU Spotlight Player of the Year award, rounding off an incredible journey from young talent to NFL star.