Travis Bell Bio
Travis Bell (born October 27, 1998) is an American professional football nose tackle. He played college football for the Kennesaw State Owls and entered the National Football League after being selected by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft. Over the following seasons, he spent time with several NFL organizations before joining the Louisville Kings of the United Football League, where he continues his professional career as an active defensive lineman.
Early Life and Background
Travis Bell was born on October 27, 1998, in Montgomery, Alabama, where he grew up and developed his early love for the game of football. He attended Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery and became a four-year letter winner for the Volunteers, a rare level of dedication that helped shape his work ethic and physical style of play on the defensive line.
Across his four high school seasons, Bell posted 20.0 sacks and 229 tackles, including a strong senior year in which he recorded 80 tackles and 9.0 sacks in only eight games. He helped Jefferson Davis reach the playoffs during his final two years, giving him valuable postseason exposure before his college career began. Off the field, Bell posted a perfect 4.0 grade-point average in his final semester, reflecting the discipline that has carried into his professional life.
Path to American Football
Rated as a two-star recruit coming out of Jefferson Davis, Bell committed to play college football for the Kennesaw State Owls. He stepped into the program and saw immediate playing time, starting as a true freshman and recording 24 tackles while helping Kennesaw State reach the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. That early opportunity established him as a reliable interior defender with a quick first step and a nose for the football.
As he progressed through the Kennesaw State program, Bell expanded his role and continued to produce. In his second season, he appeared in 13 games, started eight, and helped the Owls rank as the third-best team nationally in total defense while adding 30 tackles, 5.0 sacks, and 9.0 tackles-for-loss. He earned second-team All-Big South Conference honors in 2021 after posting 4.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles-for-loss, and closed his college career in 2022 with 34 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, and 1.5 sacks in 11 games. He finished his Kennesaw State tenure with 11 sacks and 24.5 tackles-for-loss across 54 games played.
Travis Bell Career
Pre-Draft and Preparation
Bell entered the pre-draft process without an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, a common situation for players from smaller programs. He made his case to professional scouts at his pro day, where he posted 30 bench press repetitions, a strong indicator of his upper-body strength. His combine snub only strengthened his resolve, and he soon heard his name called on draft weekend.
Chicago Bears Breakthrough (2023)
The Chicago Bears selected Travis Bell in the seventh round, 218th overall, of the 2023 NFL draft, making him the first player in Kennesaw State history to be drafted into the NFL. The moment was a milestone for both Bell and the Owls program, and it opened the door to a professional career. He was waived on August 29, 2023, and quickly re-signed to the Bears practice squad, where he continued to develop behind the scenes.
Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals (2023–2024)
On November 1, 2023, the Atlanta Falcons signed Bell off the Bears practice squad to add depth along their defensive interior. He was released on December 19, 2023, and the very next day was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals. Bell remained with the Bengals through the end of the 2023 season, providing practice-squad and rotational support as the team pushed toward the playoffs.
Bell was waived by the Bengals during final roster cuts on August 27, 2024, beginning a new chapter of movement between organizations.
Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings (2024–2025)
On September 26, 2024, Bell returned to Chicago, signing with the Bears practice squad before being released on October 15. He then signed with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on November 6, 2024, and signed a reserve and future contract with Minnesota on January 16, 2025, securing his place on the offseason roster. Bell was waived by the Vikings on August 24, 2025, closing his latest NFL chapter.
Louisville Kings Era (2026–Present)
On January 14, 2026, Bell was selected by the Louisville Kings of the United Football League, beginning a new phase of his professional career. He is currently listed as an active nose tackle on the Kings roster, wearing jersey number 98. His UFL career opened with a championship, as the Kings captured the 2026 UFL title.
Driving Style and Strengths
Bell is built for the interior trenches at 6 feet 0 inches and 310 pounds, using leverage, quickness, and a strong lower body to anchor against double teams. His college track record of tackles-for-loss shows a defensive lineman who plays with active hands and an aggressive motor, two traits that translate well to the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bell’s most notable milestone came in 2023, when he became the first Kennesaw State player ever selected in the NFL draft. He added a UFL championship in 2026 with the Louisville Kings, and as of the 2024 season he had recorded two total tackles in his NFL career.
Travis Bell Career Wins
Travis Bell’s career wins are measured across both the NFL stop-and-start journey and his UFL championship. While he has yet to claim a Super Bowl or NFL postseason victory, he has already added a league title at the professional level with the Louisville Kings.
United Football League Highlights
Bell joined the Louisville Kings in January 2026 and quickly became part of a championship roster, earning a UFL champion designation in 2026. Wearing number 98, he continues to serve as an active nose tackle for the franchise.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Bell helped Kennesaw State reach the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision playoffs as a true freshman and contributed to a defense that ranked third nationally in total defense during his sophomore season. Those team successes laid the foundation for his professional opportunities.
Travis Bell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Travis Bell’s immediate family have not been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Bell is a United States national who was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. Public information about his personal relationships has not been confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a transitional period for Travis Bell, beginning with a reserve and future contract he signed with the Minnesota Vikings on January 16, 2025. That agreement kept him in the Vikings system through the offseason, giving him time to learn the defensive scheme and build chemistry with the coaching staff.
On August 24, 2025, Bell was waived by the Vikings, ending his run in Minnesota and opening the door to the next step in his career. The timing of his release positioned him for the spring UFL calendar, where the Louisville Kings selected him on January 14, 2026.
Looking ahead, Bell enters the UFL season as an active nose tackle for the Louisville Kings, motivated by a roster spot earned through years of perseverance between NFL practice squads. His path from a two-star recruit at Jefferson Davis High School to a UFL champion reflects a steady climb, and he will look to build on that momentum with consistent production in the trenches.