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| Blake Bell | |
|---|---|
| Name | Blake Bell |
| Birth date | 31 July 1991 |
| Birth place | Winfield, Kansas |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in |
| Weight | 268 lb |
| College | Oklahoma |
| Position | Tight end |
| Nfl draft | 2014 / Round: 4 / Pick: 142 |
| Pastteams | San Francisco 49ers; Kansas City Chiefs; Detroit Lions; Cincinnati Bengals |
Blake Bell
Blake Bell is an American professional American football player who has played as a tight end and former quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Known for his size and athleticism, he played collegiate football at Oklahoma and was selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. Bell has been a member of multiple NFL organizations and contributed in both blocking and receiving roles while also being noted for his background as a collegiate quarterback.
Bell was born in Winfield, Kansas and raised in The Woodlands, Texas, where he attended The Woodlands College Park High School. In high school he was a standout at the quarterback position, earning recognition from recruiting services such as Rivals.com, ESPN and Scout.com. As a senior he led his team to playoffs in the Texas 6A classification and received all-district and all-state honors, drawing recruiting interest from programs including Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, Texas A&M and Baylor. His performances in camps and Texas High School Coaches Association showcases propelled him into the national recruiting conversation.
Bell enrolled at the Oklahoma and joined the Sooners program under head coach Bob Stoops. Initially recruited as a quarterback, he redshirted his first season before serving in a backup quarterback role behind starters such as Landry Jones and later Trevor Knight. Bell saw action in multiple seasons, throwing touchdown passes and contributing in short-yardage situations; he also executed plays such as a rushing touchdown in the 2013 Bedlam Series and appeared in bowl games including the 2013 Sugar Bowl. During his tenure he was part of Sooners teams that featured players like Samaje Perine, Baker Mayfield, Joe Mixon and a coaching staff including Lincoln Riley (later). In his final year he transitioned from quarterback to tight end, working with position coaches and participating in the NFL Scouting Combine and Oklahoma pro day workouts that showcased his size and versatility to NFL scouts. His collegiate career combined passing attempts, rushing plays and receiving snaps that illustrated a multi-positional skill set.
Bell was selected in the fourth round (142nd overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. With the 49ers he initially remained listed as a quarterback before converting to tight end on a full-time basis amid roster changes and coaching evaluations under staffs including Jim Harbaugh's successors. Bell later signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he played under head coach Andy Reid and was part of offensive units that included players such as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill. While with the Chiefs, he earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the roster during their Super Bowl LIV-caliber period and contributed on special teams and in blocking packages during regular season and postseason play.
Subsequent stops in his career have included signings with the Detroit Lions and later the Cincinnati Bengals, where he provided veteran depth behind starters and worked within offensive schemes orchestrated by coordinators connected to coaches like Dan Campbell and Zac Taylor. Throughout his professional tenure Bell has been involved in practice squads, active rosters, and game-day elevations, appearing in regular season contests and contributing both as a blocker and occasional receiving target. His NFL journey intersected with teammates and opponents such as George Kittle, Darren Waller, George Whitfield Jr. and coaches across multiple franchises.
Bell's playing style reflects a synthesis of attributes developed as a former quarterback and his later role as a tight end. At 6 ft 7 in and roughly 265–270 pounds, his size and wingspan allowed him to function as an inline blocker against defensive linemen like Aaron Donald and in coverage matchups versus linebackers such as Bobby Wagner. He demonstrated catch radius similar to other large tight ends like Rob Gronkowski and had situational receiving usage akin to veterans such as Vernon Davis. Coaches valued his route-running development, ability to execute play-action designs, and contributions on special teams units coached by staff connected to Mike Smith and John Harbaugh-style special teams coordinators. Defensive coordinators often schemed to account for his height on red-zone targets, while offensive schematics used him in two-tight end sets alongside players like Hunter Henry and Zach Ertz in various formations.
Bell comes from a family with athletic ties; his younger brother was involved in collegiate athletics and family members supported his early recruitment which connected him to institutions such as Oklahoma State University and TCU through regional scouting networks. Off the field he has participated in community outreach and charitable events in metro areas including Kansas City and San Francisco, often collaborating with team foundations and youth football clinics affiliated with organizations like the NFL Players Association. Bell has maintained connections with former teammates and coaches through alumni events and offseason training programs in locations such as Houston, Texas and Norman.
Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:American football tight ends Category:Oklahoma Sooners football players Category:San Francisco 49ers players Category:Kansas City Chiefs players Category:Detroit Lions players Category:Cincinnati Bengals players