Ronnie Bell Bio
Ronald Bell, known professionally as Ronnie Bell, is an American professional football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 195 pounds, Bell has built his career on reliable hands and steady route-running since entering the league in 2023. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, where he emerged as a multi-year leading receiver, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2023 NFL draft. He is currently a member of the New Orleans Saints organization.
Early Life and Background
Ronald Bell was born on January 28, 2000, in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in the Kansas City area and attended Park Hill High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. As a senior, Bell caught 89 passes for 1,605 yards and 21 touchdowns, putting up impressive numbers despite not being ranked among the top 1,000 high school football recruits nationally.
Despite his production on the gridiron, Bell originally committed to Missouri State University as a basketball player after receiving no Division I FBS scholarship offers to play football. His path to major college football changed when he was recruited late by Jim Harbaugh, and in December 2017, Bell committed to play football for the University of Michigan, shifting his focus from basketball to wide receiver at the highest collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Bell enrolled at the University of Michigan in 2018, joining a Wolverines program that would soon re-emerge as a national power. As a freshman, he made an immediate impression with eight receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 56-yard touchdown catch against Nebraska. His strong debut earned him Michigan’s offensive rookie of the year award at the end of the 2018 season.
By his sophomore season in 2019, Bell had become one of the Wolverines’ most consistent receivers. He led the team in receiving yards in games against Army, Wisconsin, Rutgers, Illinois, and Penn State. Against Michigan State on November 16, 2019, Bell set a career high with 150 receiving yards on nine catches. He finished the year as Michigan’s leading receiver with 48 receptions for 758 yards, earning honorable mention all-conference recognition from the media.
Bell continued his production in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, leading Michigan in receiving for the second straight year with 26 receptions and 401 yards. A knee injury in the 2021 season opener cut his year short, but he returned in 2022 to lead the team in receiving for the third time in his career, posting 62 receptions for 889 yards. That season he was named Third-team All-Big Ten.
Ronnie Bell Career
Early Career (2023–2024)
Bell was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round, 253rd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft, making him the last of nine Michigan Wolverines drafted that year. He appeared in all 17 games during his rookie season, carving out a role on offense and in the red zone. His first NFL catch came in a Week 3 victory over the New York Giants, a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brock Purdy.
During the regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Rams, Bell saw expanded opportunity as the 49ers rested their starters, finishing with one 5-yard touchdown catch. He closed his rookie year with six receptions for 68 yards and three touchdowns. Bell was waived by San Francisco on November 29, 2024, and re-signed to the team’s practice squad four days later.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2023–2024)
Bell’s tenure with the San Francisco 49ers provided him with valuable experience within a championship-caliber organization. Working alongside quarterback Brock Purdy and a deep receiving corps, he developed his understanding of professional route trees and pass-game concepts. His three rookie touchdowns highlighted his reliability in scoring situations, even as his overall snap count remained limited.
After spending time on the practice squad late in 2024, Bell moved on to a new opportunity in Detroit. His time in San Francisco established him as a dependable depth receiver capable of stepping into larger roles when called upon.
Detroit Lions Era (2025)
On January 21, 2025, Bell signed a reserve/future contract with the Detroit Lions, joining an NFC contender looking to add depth at wide receiver. He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts and subsequently re-signed to the Lions’ practice squad. Bell was released by Detroit on September 30, 2025, ending his brief time with the organization.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025–Present)
On October 7, 2025, Bell signed with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, joining an NFC South franchise in need of receiving depth. The move provided him with a fresh opportunity to continue his professional development and compete for a larger role on the active roster. His familiarity with multiple offensive systems across his stops makes him a flexible addition for the Saints.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bell is a precise route-runner with reliable hands, traits that have defined his career from his Michigan days through his early NFL stops. He excels in intermediate zones and has consistently shown the ability to produce in clutch moments, including his 9-yard first career touchdown and a 5-yard score in a late-season 49ers game. His multi-year experience as a team’s leading receiver at Michigan reflects a steady, high-volume skill set that translates well to professional slot and outside receiver duties.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Bell’s signature moments are his 150-yard career-high performance against Michigan State in 2019 and his emergence as a third-time team-leading receiver in 2022. In the NFL, he scored touchdowns in back-to-back appearances during his rookie year with San Francisco and was part of the final wave of nine Michigan Wolverines drafted in 2023. His selection as the 253rd overall pick marked him as the last Michigan player taken in that draft class.
Ronnie Bell Career Wins
Across his college and professional career, Ronnie Bell has been recognized for consistent production rather than championship victories. At Michigan, he led the team in receiving three times and earned Third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022. As a professional, he has posted three regular-season touchdowns through his first two seasons while contributing on special teams and offense.
NFL Highlights
Bell’s most notable NFL performances came during his 2023 rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers, when he recorded six receptions for 68 yards and three touchdowns across all 17 games. His first career touchdown came from Brock Purdy in a Week 3 win over the New York Giants, and he added a late-season score against the Los Angeles Rams. He has not yet been credited with a regular-season win as a starting veteran, but his role as a rotational receiver has been a steady part of multiple team efforts.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Bell helped Michigan to Big Ten contention throughout his career, including memorable performances against rivals such as Michigan State, where he posted 150 receiving yards in 2019. His offensive rookie of the year award at Michigan in 2018 and his honorable mention all-conference selection in 2019 reflect his consistent production against top-tier competition.
Ronnie Bell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ronnie Bell hails from Kansas City, Missouri, where he attended Park Hill High School. His upbringing in the Kansas City area shaped his early athletic development across multiple sports before he committed to football at the University of Michigan.
Personal Life
Bell is known to keep his personal life largely private, with no public information available regarding a spouse or children. He maintains a presence on social media, including an Instagram account under the handle @ronniebell_8.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Bell signing a reserve/future contract with the Detroit Lions in January, but he was waived during final roster cuts in late August. He briefly rejoined Detroit on the practice squad before being released on September 30, 2025, making him a free agent heading into the fall.
On October 7, 2025, Bell signed with the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, giving him a fresh opportunity within an NFC South organization. With the Saints seeking receiving depth, Bell will aim to work his way onto the active roster and contribute to the offense in the second half of the season. His track record of leading Michigan in receiving and producing three touchdowns as a 49ers rookie provides a foundation for that push.