NFL
Ronnie Bell
WR · #11 · New Orleans Saints
At Michigan
2018-2022
Drafted
Round 7, Pick 253 · 2023 · San Francisco 49ers
Honours
2x Big Ten Champion
What they did in Ann Arbor
Known for his work ethic, leadership, and ability to overcome adversity
Overview
Ronnie Bell was a productive and resilient wide receiver for Michigan from 2018 to 2022. A five-year letterman and two-time team captain, he finished his career ranked among the program’s top receivers in both receptions and receiving yards.
Bell overcame a major knee injury in 2021 to lead the team in receiving during the 2022 Big Ten championship season. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Career Statistics (Michigan)
Season | Games | Receptions | Yards | Avg | TD | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 13 | 8 | 145 | 18.1 | 2 | Offensive Rookie of the Year |
2019 | 13 | 48 | 758 | 15.8 | 1 | Team leader in receiving |
2020 | 6 | 26 | 401 | 15.4 | 1 | COVID-shortened season |
2021 | 1 | 1 | 76 | 76.0 | 1 | Season-ending knee injury |
2022 | 14 | 62 | 889 | 14.3 | 4 | Team leader; career highs |
Career | 47 | 145 | 2,269 | 15.6 | 9 |
Additional Career Totals
Rushing: 9 attempts, 30 yards, 1 TD
Punt Returns: 15 returns, 203 yards
Career Highs
Receptions: 11 (at Indiana, Oct. 8, 2022)
Receiving Yards: 150 (vs. Michigan State, Nov. 16, 2019)
Long Reception: 76 yards (vs. Western Michigan, 2021)
Year-by-Year Highlights
2018 (Freshman)
Appeared in all 13 games and earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after catching 8 passes for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns.
2019 (Sophomore)
Emerged as the team’s leading receiver with 48 catches for 758 yards. Posted a career-high 150 yards against Michigan State. Earned All-Big Ten honorable mention (media).
2020 (Junior)
Led the team in receiving during the COVID-shortened season (26 receptions, 401 yards).
2021 (Senior)
Suffered a season-ending ACL injury on a punt return in the opener against Western Michigan after a 76-yard touchdown catch. Still voted a team captain.
2022 (Graduate Student)
Returned stronger and started all 14 games. Led the team with 62 receptions and 889 yards along with 4 touchdowns. Earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors and was named the team’s Offensive Skill Player of the Year.
Awards & Honors
Third-Team All-Big Ten (2022)
Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (2019)
Team Captain (2021)
Offensive Rookie of the Year (2018)
Offensive Skill Player of the Year (2019, 2022)
Five-time letterman (2018–2022)
Background
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
High School: Park Hill
Recruiting: Three-star prospect who was more highly regarded as a basketball player before committing to Michigan
Known for his work ethic, leadership, and ability to overcome adversity
Legacy at Michigan
Ronnie Bell’s career is defined by perseverance. He arrived as a lightly recruited receiver, developed into a reliable starter, suffered a major injury, and returned to lead the team in receiving during a Big Ten championship season.
He finished his Michigan career with 145 receptions for 2,269 yards — placing him among the program’s top 10 in both categories at the time of his departure. Beyond the numbers, Bell was respected as a leader and one of the most resilient players of the Jim Harbaugh era.
Quick Facts
Height/Weight: 6-0, 190–192 lbs
Position: Wide Receiver
Jersey: No. 8
Drafted: 2023 NFL Draft – Round 7, Pick 253 (San Francisco 49ers)
Current NFL Team: New Orleans Saints (as of 2026)