As if the Michigan Panthers need any more firepower – they just brought back a key piece. DE Levi Bell has signed with the team, as a name that many Panthers fans are familiar with from a season ago.
BREAKING: The Michigan Panthers have brought back DE Levi Bell, sources tell me & @UFLShadow.
Bell was a USFL College Draft selection, joining the @USFLPanthers midway through the 2023 season; posting 16 tackles & 4 sacks.
After a PS stint with Seattle, Bell now returns. #UFL pic.twitter.com/Z52sSWAMnw
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) May 15, 2024
Yesterday, Michigan released DE Mika Tafua. In hindsight, this move makes sense now, since Michigan had their eyes set on bringing Levi Bell back to the team.
Bell has had a fascinating journey so far, and it’s just getting started. He was a USFL College Draft selection by the Panthers in 2023, and ended up signing with the team midway through the season.
Levi was immediately placed on the active roster, tallying his first professional sack that week against Pittsburgh. Bell fit perfectly into Mike Nolan’s defense, and finished the season with 16 tackles and four sacks.
Levi Bell and @Bspeaks9 are there for the sack! 💪
🎥: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/YpGkd1Zpi4
— Michigan Panthers (@USFLPanthers) May 13, 2023
Not only that, but Levi was one of the top graded defenders in the entire USFL. He posted a 92.0 Defensive Grade, showing up week in and week out. In the semi-finals loss against Pittsburgh, Bell notched eight tackles.
This led to an NFL opportunity with the Seattle Seahawks. Bell made an impact in the preseason, and impressed enough to remain on the practice squad throughout the year.
WATCH: Seahawks DE Jordan Ferguson sacks QB Jaren Hall, followed up by a sack from DE Levi Bell.
See also
Both Ferguson and Bell played in the #USFL this past season, impressing with the Michigan Panthers and Memphis Showboats.
Spring. Football. Works. pic.twitter.com/YecAbosCDx
— James…
