As Michigan State Spartans football players were picked up left and right following the NFL Draft, there was one player in particular who stood out. Not only did he receive an invite from an NFL organization, but he was also drafted just days later—this time by the Canadian Football League.
Michigan State alum and defensive back Malcolm Bell was invited to Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp for a tryout. Just a couple of days after that invite, Bell was selected in the first round of the CFL Draft with the ninth overall pick by the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Their next chapter, back home. 🇨🇦🏈 pic.twitter.com/GrjbkJDE8K
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) April 29, 2026
Bell began his collegiate career at University of Connecticut, where he spent four seasons. He was redshirted as a freshman, appearing in just one game and recording one tackle. However, things quickly changed.
As a redshirt freshman, Bell burst onto the scene at UConn, forcing his way into action in all 12 games. He finished the season with 26 solo tackles and 39 total tackles—both career highs during his time there. Of those 39 tackles, 1.5 were for loss. Bell also proved he could impact the passing game, finishing the 2022 season with six pass deflections, another personal best at UConn.
In 2023, as a redshirt sophomore, Bell again appeared in all 12 games. While his numbers dipped slightly—19 solo tackles and 28 total—he still made his presence felt. He added another 1.5 tackles for loss, recorded four pass deflections, and forced his first career fumble.
As a redshirt junior in 2024, Bell played in nine games, totaling 22 solo tackles and 26 overall. He continued to show his relentless, physical style of play, consistently putting his body on the line. That aggressive approach did cost him some time, as he missed three games, but he still managed one tackle for loss and three pass deflections in limited action.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Bell entered the transfer portal and landed in East Lansing. Suiting up for Michigan State, he played in all 12 games and elevated his performance even further. Bell recorded a career-high 31 solo tackles and 49 total tackles. He also blew past his previous mark in tackles for loss, finishing with five—including the first sack of his career. Bell tied his career high with six pass deflections, rounding out a strong final collegiate season.
By the end of his college career, Bell had accumulated 143 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and 19 pass deflections.
Obviously, Bell will do everything he can to earn a roster—or at least a practice squad—spot in Cleveland. At the same time, being a ninth overall pick in the CFL gives him a valuable fallback option. That’s speculation, of course, but it’s a strong position to be in.
Bell is going up against a deep group of cornerbacks with the Browns. The room is headlined by former first-round pick Denzel Ward, along with names like Tyson Campbell, Myles Harden, D'Angelo Ross, Myles Bryant, Tre Avery, and others. There’s no easy path to a roster spot in the NFL, and Cleveland has no shortage of competition at the position.
If Bell ends up in Saskatchewan, he’ll still have a strong opportunity to develop and continue growing as a player. The CFL route is a tough one when it comes to making the jump back to the NFL, but it’s far from impossible.
Looking at the Roughriders’ defensive backs, Bell would be competing with players like former Detroit Lions corner Jerry Jacobs, Sheldrick Redwine, Tevaughn Campbell, and others. That said, there’s a real opportunity for Bell to carve out a role—and potentially even compete for a starting job early.
Regardless of where Bell lands, one thing is clear: he can absolutely play. Even on a struggling Michigan State team, Bell held his own and helped anchor a defense that often carried the load. Wherever he ends up next, he’ll bring that same physicality, effort, and playmaking ability with him.