Virginia Tech made arguably their biggest splash of transfer portal season this evening, as the Hokies landed a commitment from Texas State DE Ben Bell.
Say I won’t ! pic.twitter.com/SG2ys2fXta
— Benjamin bell (@BenBell99) January 16, 2025
Bell chose the Hokies over other public offers from Ole Miss, Missouri, Minnesota, Baylor, Wake Forest, and Kansas plus a host of other interested schools. He is the 18th transfer addition for Virginia Tech this cycle and the fourth who projects along the defensive line, joining Eastern Michigan DE/LB James Djonkam, Mercer DT Arias Nash, and Hampton DL Jahzari Priester. On3 ranks Bell as the 101st best transfer among all positions with a four-star rating.
He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Bell only played four games before redshirting this past season, but dominated those with 13 tackles including six for loss with 3.5 sacks plus a forced fumble and two pass breakups. In the process, Bell an 80.8 PFF grade including a 91.1 pass rush grade as he generated 23 pressures including nine against Arizona State.
In 2023, Bell earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors with 57 tackles including 16 for loss with ten sacks plus a forced fumble. He earned a 90.9 PFF grade that season including a 93.0 pass rush grade after having 53 pressures and 38 stops.
Bell is a massive addition for the Hokies who instantly projects as an All-ACC level starter. If he would not have gotten injured midseason and then redshirted, he could have easily ended up being a serious Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
We will have more as this story develops.
