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Michigan two-time captain Ronnie Bell declares for 2023 NFL Draft

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie01/05/23CSayf23
Ronnie Bell
Michigan wide receiver Ronnie Bell is now an NFL Draft pick. (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

Michigan Wolverines football graduate wide receiver Ronnie Bell — a two-time team captain — has officially declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced on social media. Bell could’ve returned for a sixth year with the Maize and Blue but will take his shot at the professional level instead.

“I want to start by thanking God for blessing me with the ability and the chance to play this game on one of the biggest stages in college football,” Bell said in a statement. “Giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to inspire and live out y dreams. The University of Michigan is the greatest university in the whole world and will always hold a special place in my heart.

“To all my teammates over these last five years, y’all know it’s love. I will forever cherish the late days in the locker room, the blood, sweat and tears and the weight room and the countless jokes in the meeting rooms. My brothers for life.

“Coach Harbaugh and the entire staff in Schembechler Hall, I love and appreciate you for welcoming a basketball player from Kansas City and giving me an opportunity to play the game I love. I am forever in debt to you all for how you have molded me into the player and man I am today. I am forever blessed to have been a part of a culture that will do nothing but get better and win more rings!

“To Blue Nation and the greatest fans on Earth, thank you. Through the ups and downs I am so thankful for the relentless support and love that you showed for the team and myself every single weekend. I cannot express enough how much you are appreciated. There is nothing like The Big House on Saturdays.

“With that being said, I have decided to declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. I am excited for what the next chapter holds.”

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Bell led Michigan in receiving during three of his five seasons, including in 2022. This past year, he hauled in 62 receptions for 889 yards and 4 touchdowns.

He was injured in the first half of the Wolverines’ 2021 season opener against Western Michigan, missing the rest of the year with a torn ACL. Bell led Michigan with 26 receptions for 401 yards and 1 score in the shortened 2020 campaign and paced the Maize and Blue with 48 grabs for 758 yards and 1 score in 2019.

A former two-star recruit on one recruiting service and a consensus three-star prospect out of Kansas City, Bell caught 8 passes for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns as a freshman in 2018.

All told, Bell registered 145 catches for 2,269 yards and 9 touchdowns during his career.

Bell’s younger brother, Kendrick Bell, is a freshman quarterback set to join the Michigan team ahead of the 2023 campaign.