Article on AI.com about Joique Bell

Small-school running back gets shot to answer the Bell in Senior Bowl

There's a good chance you have never heard of running back Joique Bell or his school, NCAA Division II's Wayne State University.

And while he hopes to garner a name for himself and recognition for his school through his play and work this week at the Senior Bowl, he is most interested in impressing the NFL scouts who already know about his abilities. It's their interest in seeing how he measures up against strong competition, Bell believes, that led to his invitation to Mobile and the week-long job interview.

"This is a big opportunity, a big step, not just for me but for other Division II players," said the 6-foot-1, 223-pound Bell. "If I can perform and prove to everybody that Division II players can stand out in this game against good competition, it will prove a point. It will prove that Division II players have talent. It will also be good for Wayne State.

"There's some pressure, but I've had pressure and expectations all of my life. This game is a big part in deciding my whole life from here. I'm taking that seriously."

Statistically speaking, Bell doesn't have to stand in anyone's shadow.

He won the Harlon Hill Award, Division II's version of the Heisman Trophy, and was a three-time semifinalist for the honor. He gained 6,728 career rushing yards (sixth all-time in Division II, 8th in NCAA history). He ranks in the top 10 all-time (Division II and NCAA) in career points scored (576), career average points per game (13.1) and career all-purpose yards (8,055).

Asked to describe his running style, Bell used the term "versatile," while saying he also takes advantage of "great balance, great vision and the ability to adjust my running style based on the way a team is (defending) me."

When he was recruited out of high school in Benton Harbor, Mich., Bell could have signed with Michigan or Michigan State. But those schools, as well as other "big-name" programs recruiting him, wanted him to play safety in college.

Wayne State, located in Detroit, offered him the opportunity to be a running back.

"They wanted me to play at a position they felt I would be great at and a position I felt I would be great at," Bell said. "Others wanted me to play at a position I didn't want to play.

"Where I thought I would be best and where I wanted to play and where I felt was my best position toward getting to the NFL, which was my goal, was running back."

For three years, Bell worked as a member of the security team at the Detroit Lions' training camp. One day before making his college choice, he asked a Lions' scout if a player from a Division II school would be noticed by NFL scouts.

The scout told him, "It's simple, if you have talent, people will find you," Bell recalled. That helped him decide to go with Wayne State and play running back. And that decision has led him to Mobile. Interestingly, the North team is being directed by the Lions' coaching staff.

"Maybe they'll let me have a couple of extra snaps," Bell joked.