{{Short description|American football player (born 1998)}} {{about|the American football player}} {{Use American English|date=June 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Travis Bell | image = Travis Bell (55214618283) (cropped).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Bell with the Louisville Kings in 2026 | current_team =Louisville Kings | number =98 | position = Nose tackle | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|10|27}} | birth_place = Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 0 | weight_lb = 310 | high_school = Jefferson Davis (Montgomery) | college = Kennesaw State (2018–2022) | draftyear = 2023 | draftround = 7 | draftpick = 218 | pastteams = * Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2023}})* * Atlanta Falcons ({{NFL Year|2023}}) * Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2023}}) * Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|2024}})* * Minnesota Vikings ({{NFL Year|2024}})* * Louisville Kings ({{UFL Year|2026}}–present) | status =Active | highlights = | statleague = NFL | statseason = 2024 | statweek = | statlabel1 = Total tackles | statvalue1 = 2 | pfr = BellTr01 }} '''Travis Bell''' (born October 27, 1998) is an American professional football nose tackle for the Louisville Kings of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Kennesaw State Owls and was selected by the Bears in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft.
==Early life== Bell was born on October 27, 1998, and grew up in Montgomery, Alabama.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rotowire.com/football/player/travis-bell-17411|publisher=RotoWire|title=Travis Bell|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430162838/https://www.rotowire.com/football/player/travis-bell-17411|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/travis-bell-nfl-draft-dl-kennesaw-state-bears|publisher=Chicago Bears|title=Bears draft Kennesaw State DL Travis Bell in seventh round|author=Hajduk, Gabby|date=April 29, 2023|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430162839/https://www.chicagobears.com/news/travis-bell-nfl-draft-dl-kennesaw-state-bears|url-status=live}}</ref> He attended Jefferson Davis High School and was a four-year letter winner.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://ksuowls.com/sports/general/roster/travis--bell/7561|publisher=Kennesaw State Owls|title=Travis Bell|access-date=April 29, 2023|archive-date=April 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429212543/https://ksuowls.com/sports/general/roster/travis--bell/7561|url-status=live}}</ref> He posted 20.0 sacks and 229 tackles across his four seasons at Jefferson Davis, including 80 tackles and 9.0 sacks in only eight games as a senior.<ref name="auto2"/> Bell helped Jefferson Davis reach the playoffs in his final two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/sports/2023/04/former-alabama-prep-standout-becomes-kennesaw-states-first-draft-pick.html|website=AL.com|title=Former Alabama prep standout becomes Kennesaw State's first draft pick|author=Inabinnett, Mark|date=April 29, 2023|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430171514/https://www.al.com/sports/2023/04/former-alabama-prep-standout-becomes-kennesaw-states-first-draft-pick.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Off the field, Bell posted a perfect 4.0 GPA in his last semester.<ref name="auto1"/> A two-star recruit, he committed to play college football for the Kennesaw State Owls.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/kennesaw-state-has-best-recruiting-class-since-2015/JNRfCGZK5zEab9vzfUq9oJ/|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|title=Kennesaw State has best recruiting class since 2015|author=Slappy, Devone|date=February 1, 2017|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430162836/https://www.ajc.com/sports/college/kennesaw-state-has-best-recruiting-class-since-2015/JNRfCGZK5zEab9vzfUq9oJ/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023/4/29/23704554/bears-2023-nfl-draft-class-breaking-down-every-pick-darnell-wright-gervon-dexter-tyrique-stevenson|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|title=Bears 2023 NFL Draft class: Breaking down every pick|date=April 29, 2023|author=Potash, Mark; Finley, Patrick; Lieser, Jason|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430173018/https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023/4/29/23704554/bears-2023-nfl-draft-class-breaking-down-every-pick-darnell-wright-gervon-dexter-tyrique-stevenson|url-status=live}}</ref>
==College career== Bell saw immediate playing time at Kennesaw State and was a starter in his first season, compiling 24 tackles as a true freshman and helping them reach the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.<ref name="auto1"/> The following season, he appeared in 13 games, eight of which he started, and helped them rank as the third-best team nationally in total defense while posting 30 tackles, 5.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles-for-loss.<ref name="auto1"/> The 2020 season was postponed to spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in it he appeared in four games with 11 stops, two tackles-for-loss and a half-sack.<ref name="auto1"/>
Bell made 4.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles-for-loss in 2021, earning second-team All-Big South Conference honors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://herosports.com/fcs-football-2022-kennesaw-preview-bzbz/|website=HERO Sports|title=FCS Top 10 Commentary: No. 8 Kennesaw State Football Preview|date=August 22, 2022|author=Herder, Sam|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430171520/https://herosports.com/fcs-football-2022-kennesaw-preview-bzbz/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mdjonline.com/cobb_football_friday/bell-becomes-first-ksu-player-to-be-drafted/article_cd37703a-e6f7-11ed-be1c-eb82b39d41a9.html|newspaper=Marietta Daily Journal|title=Bell becomes first KSU player to be drafted|date=April 29, 2023|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430171514/https://www.mdjonline.com/cobb_football_friday/bell-becomes-first-ksu-player-to-be-drafted/article_cd37703a-e6f7-11ed-be1c-eb82b39d41a9.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He returned for a final season in 2022, and recorded in 11 games 34 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, and 1.5 sacks.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/29/chicago-bears-select-travis-bell-nfl-draft-2023/|newspaper=USA Today|date=April 29, 2023|title=Bears select DT Travis Bell with 218th overall pick in 2023 NFL draft|author=Barbieri, Alyssa|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430171514/https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/29/chicago-bears-select-travis-bell-nfl-draft-2023/|url-status=live}}</ref> He finished his stint at Kennesaw State with 11 sacks and 24.5 tackles-for-loss in 54 games played.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/bears-select-first-kennesaw-state-player-nfl-history-travis-bell|newspaper=NBC Sports|title=Bears select first Kennesaw State player in NFL history|author=Taylor, Ryan|date=April 29, 2023|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430171514/https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/bears-select-first-kennesaw-state-player-nfl-history-travis-bell|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Pre-draft=== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 0 | weight = 310 | dash = 5.03 | ten split = 1.71 | twenty split = 2.87 | shuttle = 4.58 | cone drill = 7.99 | vertical = 32.5 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 2 | bench = 30 | arm span = 32 5/8 | hand span = 10 | note = All values from Kennesaw State's Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1051568&DraftYear=2023 |title=2023 NFL Draft Scout Travis Bell College Football Profile |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com |archive-date=May 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511203504/https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1051568&DraftYear=2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> }} Bell was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, and posted at his pro day 30 bench press reps.<ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20230429/what-to-know-about-every-player-the-chicago-bears-drafted-on-day-3|newspaper=Daily Herald|title=What to know about every player the Chicago Bears drafted on Day 3|date=April 30, 2023|author=Hammond, Sean|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430171514/https://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20230429/what-to-know-about-every-player-the-chicago-bears-drafted-on-day-3|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Chicago Bears (first stint)=== Bell was selected in the seventh round (218th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, becoming the first player in his school's history to be selected.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/29/new-bears-dt-travis-bell-is-first-player-ever-drafted-from-kennesaw-state/|newspaper=USA Today|title=New Bears DT Travis Bell is first player ever drafted from Kennesaw State|author=Sugrue, Brendan|date=April 29, 2023|access-date=April 30, 2023|archive-date=April 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430171515/https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/29/new-bears-dt-travis-bell-is-first-player-ever-drafted-from-kennesaw-state/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was waived on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad.<ref>{{cite news|title=Roster Moves: Bears reach NFL's 53-man roster limit|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-reach-nfl-s-53-man-roster-limit-2023|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 29, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Bears sign 11 players to practice squad|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-moves-bears-sign-11-players-to-practice-squad|author=Mayer, Larry|website=ChicagoBears.com|date=August 30, 2023}}</ref>
===Atlanta Falcons=== On November 1, 2023, Bell was signed by the Atlanta Falcons off the Bears practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Falcons sign DL Travis Bell off Chicago Bears practice squad|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/travis-bell-chicago-bears-practice-squad-lacale-london-injured-reserve|author=Bair, Scott|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|date=November 1, 2023}}</ref> He was released on December 19.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Waack |first=Terrin |date=December 19, 2023 |title=Falcons release rookie defensive lineman from 53-man roster |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/rookie-defensive-lineman-travis-bell-released-transaction |access-date=20 December 2023 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}</ref>
===Cincinnati Bengals=== On December 20, 2023, Bell was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2023 |title=Bengals Roster Moves; Defensive Tackle Acquired |url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-roster-moves-defensive-tackle-travis-ball-acquired-atlanta-falcons |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Bengals.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Bell was waived by the Bengals during final roster cuts on August 27, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bengals Reduce Final Roster To 53 Players|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-reduce-final-roster-to-53-players|website=Bengals.com|date=August 27, 2024}}</ref>
===Chicago Bears (second stint)=== On September 26, 2024, Bell signed with the Bears practice squad.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sugrue |first1=Brendan |title=Bears sign DT Travis Bell to practice squad |url=https://bearswire-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bears/2024/09/26/bears-sign-dt-travis-bell-to-practice-squad/75400375007/ |website=Bears Wire |access-date=27 September 2024}}</ref> He was released on October 15.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barbieri |first=Alyssa |date=October 15, 2024 |title=Bears make moves on the practice squad during bye week |url=https://bearswire-eu.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/bears/2024/10/15/bears-make-moves-on-the-practice-squad-during-bye-week/75693070007/ |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=Bears Wire|publisher=USA Today}}</ref>
===Minnesota Vikings=== On November 6, 2024, Bell was signed to the Minnesota Vikings practice squad.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vikings Sign Kicker John Parker Romo, Add Long Snapper Jake McQuaide to Practice Squad|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/john-parker-romo-kicker-jake-mcquaide-long-snapper-signed|author=Peters, Craig|website=Vikings.com|date=November 6, 2024}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract with Minnesota on January 16, 2025.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vikings Sign Dozen-Plus Players to Futures Contracts for 2025|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/2025-future-free-agent-signings|author=Peters, Craig|website=Vikings.com|date=January 16, 2025}}</ref>
On August 24, 2025, Bell was waived by the Vikings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vikings Announce Roster Reductions|url=https://www.vikings.com/news/roster-reductions-waived-released-2025|author=Peters, Craig|website=Vikings.com|date=August 24, 2025}}</ref>
=== Louisville Kings === On January 14, 2026, Bell was selected by the Louisville Kings of the United Football League (UFL).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Day Two of UFL Draft Introduces New Faces and Ignites the New Era of Spring Football |url=https://www.theufl.com/news/day-two-of-ufl-draft-introduces-new-faces-and-ignites-the-new-era-of-spring-football |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=www.theufl.com |language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://ksuowls.com/sports/football/roster/travis--bell/10840 Kennesaw State Owls bio]
{{Bears2023DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell, Travis}} Category:1998 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Montgomery, Alabama Category:American football defensive tackles Category:Kennesaw State Owls football players Category:Chicago Bears players Category:Atlanta Falcons players Category:Cincinnati Bengals players Category:Minnesota Vikings players Category:Louisville Kings players