From USFL to Seahawks, Levi Bell Keeps Blasting Opposing QBs With Eye On Roster Spot

Without an NFL team in early May, Levi Bell opted to prove himself in the USFL this spring and after a strong preseason debut, the former All-Sun Belt selection has played his way into the mix for a situational pass rushing role for the Seattle Seahawks.

Taking a far different route than most of his rookie peers, Levi Bell didn't have much of an offseason before signing with the Seattle Seahawks one day before the start of training camp on July 25.

After not hearing his name called in April's draft, Bell initially signed with the Ravens, who listed him as a defensive end/fullback hybrid. But the Texas State standout barely lasted a week before the team waived him on May 8 and without any other NFL offers on the table at the time, he joined the Michigan Panthers of the USFL and took his talents to the spring pro circuit.

Though he only played in six games for the Panthers after signing in Week 5, Bell thrived rushing off the edge, showcasing his explosive athleticism and versatility while registering four sacks, which tied for 10th-best in the USFL. With the season coming to an end on June 24 and NFL training camps just around the corner, the Cedar Park, Texas native wouldn't have much time to rest up waiting for his next opportunity.

With his USFL contract expired as a free agent, Bell worked out for the Seahawks on July 24 and signed with the team one day later, promptly throwing himself back into the ring only a month after finishing his spring season.

Under such circumstances, nobody would be shocked if Bell would have struggled given the limited amount of recovery time between the end of the USFL season and joining Seattle at training camp. But midway through August, he has picked up where he left off back in June hunting down quarterbacks in Seattle after being a last-minute addition to the roster before camp.

Built like a brick with a thick chest and electric power poles for arms and legs, the 5-11, 262-pound Bell has been a pleasant surprise for the Seahawks since arriving last month. Always playing with his motor on fire, he has been a consistent backfield disruptor in camp practice, including forcing a fumble in the team's mock scrimmage on August 4, and he continued to make a statement in Thursday's 24-13 preseason-opening win over the Vikings at Lumen Field.

Levi Bell somehow played better than I originally assessed watching #Seahawks win over Vikings. Here's his second pressure on his first five defensive snaps as he blasts Nick Mullens after shooting hard inside. pic.twitter.com/64SBmiYVzm

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) August 14, 2023

Factoring into Seattle's pass rush early in the contest, Bell only needed two snaps to record his first quarterback hit receiving playing time with the first-team defense, working off of a block to chase down Nick Mullens on third down and team up with fellow rookie Mike Morris to force an incompletion. The pressure stalled a promising drive for Minnesota, forcing the visitors to settle for a short Greg Joseph field goal after having 1st and goal inside the 10.

Seeing extensive playing time for the rest of the exhibition match, Bell stacked up frequent flyer miles in a hurry flying off the edge into the backfield. On 21 pass rushing reps, he generated six quarterback pressures, a sack, and two quarterback hits, posting an impressive 28.5 percent pressure rate and a 37.5 percent win rate.

Pinning his ears back with the Seahawks nursing a slim lead in the fourth quarter, Bell flashed his versatile skill set throughout a dominant fourth quarter.

Would you like some bull with that rush, Mr. Bell? Goodness... #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/FykQuXERtD

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) August 14, 2023

First, Bell demonstrated his raw power with a potent bull rush against tackle Christian DiLauro, sending the blocker back into the pocket before pummeling Jaren Hall for his first career sack. Moments later, he used his elite quickness on a slick hesitation step to rocket back inside past tackle Jarrid Williams, appearing to draw a hold before chasing Hall out of the pocket to coax another incomplete pass.

I thought Levi Bell's run defense was his biggest question mark on Thursday, as he got overpowered off the ball a few times.

But his athleticism penetrating into the backfield made this fourth down stop come to fruition. #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/77ZuxVs34l

— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) August 14, 2023

Earlier in the quarter, Bell made a nice tackle on a bubble screen after dropping into coverage, quickly diagnosing the play and splitting through a pair of blockers to bring down receiver Blake Proehl for a two-yard gain. Two plays later, with the Vikings trying to keep their dwindling hopes at a comeback alive going for it on 4th and 1, he slanted hard past a tight end into the backfield, forcing the runner to bounce back outside into the arms of linebacker Patrick O'Connell for no gain and a turnover on downs.

Additionally, Bell recorded a tackle on special teams, proving himself capable of contributing on kick and punt coverage units.

On the heels of a stellar Seattle debut in all facets, Bell has captured the attention of coaches, teammates, and fans alike, quickly transforming from USFL afterthought into a potential dark horse to make the 53-man roster. Being a Third-Team All-American selection by Pro Football Focus a year ago with outstanding athletic traits at 260-plus pounds, maybe his success shouldn't be a surprise.

But while he has gotten off to a fast start, Bell still faces an uphill climb in a crowded stable of young pass rushers aiming to make that dream into a reality. Along with starter Uchenna Nwosu returning, Boye Mafe has enjoyed a splendid camp for the Seahawks, Darrell Taylor will return for a strained shoulder in the near future, second-round pick Derick Hall played well in his debut, and 2022 fifth-round pick Tyreke Smith has flashed in spurts, creating a logjam at the position.

With Nwosu, Mafe, Taylor, and Hall all locks to be on Seattle's Week 1 roster, Bell may be battling against Smith for one roster spot with two preseason auditions still to play, leaving little margin for error as the regular season opener rapidly approaches.

Thinking big picture, however, Bell wasn't even on the radar as a possible candidate to make the team when he jumped from the USFL to the Seahawks last month. In a short period of time, he has put Smith and other edge rushers on notice with his relentless effort and finishing ability, squarely putting himself on the roster bubble with a legitimate chance to play his way into spot on the 53 over the next few weeks.

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