After missing the second half of his junior campaign due to a left ankle sprain, the physical tackler had a banner final season for the Rebels, elevating his draft stock to among the elite at his position. Known for his aggressive nature on the football field, the weak-side linebacker is likely to shift to middle linebacker in the NFL to take advantage of his ability to neutralize the inside ground game.

At Tustin High School, Bell's versatility proved to be invaluable. He competed at safety, outside and inside linebacker, defensive end, tailback and fullback during his career, in addition to handling place-kicking and punting chores. He was a two-time All-Century League and Defensive Most Valuable Player, as he produced 150 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions as a senior for the Tillers. He also carried the ball 55 times for 506 yards and eight touchdowns for the 2003 league champs. He was selected to play in the prestigious Cal-Florida Game and registered five tackles.

As a true freshman at UNLV, Bell appeared in 11 games as a reserve weak-side outside linebacker, lining up in that unit alongside his older brother Zach (2001-04). Beau Bell posted 26 tackles (16 solo) and a stop for a loss. He also recovered and caused one fumble.

As a sophomore, Bell battled through a groin injury all year, but still earned second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors. He appeared in 11 games, starting the final seven at middle linebacker. He would go on to rank second on the squad with 92 tackles (50 solo), adding 3 ½ sacks and 7 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also batted away a pair of passes.

A member of the 2006 Butkus Award Watch List and a preseason All-MWC first-team choice, Bell saw his junior season come to an end in the team's seventh game vs. Brigham Young, when he suffered a left ankle sprain. He still managed to finish second on the squad with 76 tackles (41 solo), delivering four sacks and nine stops for losses. He was leading the MWC in tackles at the time of his injury.

In '07, Bell earned All-Mountain West Conference first-team honors and was named Defensive Player of the Year. He was the first player in MWC annals to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors three times in the same season. He was also the recipient of the Rebels' team MVP and Captain Award honors. In addition, he received the Bill "Wildcat" Morris Most Inspirational Award and the "Doc" Tobler Senior Award, which is given to the final-year player who brings the highest credit to himself and the university. Still, because of a lack of recognition, the only All-American honor he received came from The NFL Draft Report.

Bell's MWC Defensive Player of the Year Award marked the fourth time a Rebel earned the conference honor, joining two-time winner Jamaal Brimmer (2002, '03 -- media only), Kevin Thomas (2001) and Aaron Moog (1984). Bell is also the first UNLV linebacker to earn such an honor.

"It's a big deal being named the player of the year for this conference because the coaches vote along with the media," said Bell. "We worked hard all year as a team and this is a great way to wrap up my college career. Despite our final record I had a lot of fun playing with these guys and will never forget my senior year as a Rebel."

Bell started all 12 games at weak-side linebacker, leading the team and league with a career-high 126 tackles (79 solo), with three sacks and 9 ½ stops behind the line of scrimmage. He led the conference and tied for fourth in the nation with five forced fumbles and deflected three passes while intercepting four others, returning one for a touchdown.

"Beau Bell made a decision in the spring and summer to be a great player and he went out and made that a reality in the fall," said UNLV head coach Mike Sanford. "He gave us both great performance and leadership and will leave that legacy for the future of this program."

In 41 games at Nevada-Las Vegas, Bell started 26 times (seven at middle linebacker, 19 at weak-side 'backer). He finished second in school history with 320 tackles (186 solo), as he made 10 ½ sacks for minus-62 yards and 27 stops for losses of 102 total yards. He caused six fumbles and had one fumble recovery while deflecting five passes. He also had four interceptions for 13 yards in returns, including one touchdown.

Positives: Has a thick frame with good bone structure, thick chest, broad shoulders, large hands and good muscle definition in his thighs and calves … Just adequate in the classroom and does not relish practicing, but is a solid playmaker who plays at a low pad level and is quick to close when he locates the ball … Shows strength at the point of attack, taking on the lineman or fullback with aggression, using his hands well to shed … Naturally fast and strong, running with a normal stride and quickly accelerates, showing the top-end speed to make plays in pursuit … Has the functional lateral movement to fly to the action along the sideline … Plays with awareness, reading and reacting quickly to plays in front of him … Instinctive athlete who has the knowledge needed to call defensive signals … Finds a way to get to the ball, staying on his feet and knowing how to avoid blocks while maintaining balance on the move … Sees counter plays quickly and plays with a good motor, as he is relentless in his pursuit … Accelerates quickly in space and shows good desire to get to the ball … Will step up and take on blocks, flashing a quick shed, as he uses his strong hands to shock and jolt a lethargic defender … Slips blocks and scrapes through seams to deliver a solid hit, as he is quick to adjust when on the move … Uses his hands to work through traffic and to ward off blocks, demonstrating the power to take on blockers, adjust and react to counter moves … Is quick to close on outside runs, playing with leverage and range to reach the perimeter while avoiding blocks to make the tackle … Likes to run under blocks, but he can quickly accelerate in space and has the speed to reach the outside ballcarrier and force the run back inside … Has the ability to work through traffic and finish off a tackle … Comes off the edge with explosion as a pass rusher and can blast his way up the middle to track down the ball … Can play any linebacker position, but his hand usage, run pursuit and zone drops are better suited for the middle. He doesn't redirect quickly, but has a burst and shows desire to get to the ball … Tackles with a short punch, letting the ballcarrier know he is there, as he uses his upper-body strength to fill, stack and tackle inside the box and at the point of attack … Shows good acceleration to the ball in zone coverage, as he can drop into the secondary with his head on a swivel and has the acceleration to get to the receivers in the deep zone … Also shows good awareness in man coverage, mirroring the receiver in the short area before switching off on his assignment … Allows little cushion on running backs coming out of the backfield in passing situations, staying low in his pads to wrap and secure … Does not have natural hands, but they are big and thick, using them efficiently as a senior, along with good timing and leaping ability to get to the ball at its high point … Displays proper hand usage, anticipation, timing and vision to make good adjustments on the move when blitzing.

Negatives: Active player who flies around the field, but is stiff in the hips and struggles to quickly redirect … Shows good initial quickness, balance, and agility, but plays too tall and his change-of-direction agility is marginal when he gets too high in his pads (base narrows) … Tests indicate that he has marginal ability to learn and retain information … Has a learning disability, but has shown football intelligence and the ability to adjust on the field … Needs to develop better work habits, as he is known for his dislike for practices and needs direction and monitoring when it comes to his training regimen … Will not play through injuries … Some view this as an excuse to not practice, as there have been those who have questioned his mental toughness and his ability to play hard if he thinks he is not completely healthy … Plays well in the team concept, but can be a loner when he's not involved on the field … Has a strong hand punch, but needs to keep his hands inside his frame more, as he struggles to control and shed big offensive linemen at times and, when he overextends, he leaves his body exposed for reach blocks … Flashes good use of hands and strength to control and shed, but engages too tall and, at times, is not able to disengage (must open his hips quicker in attempts to avoid or redirect) … Struggles with lateral agility in space when adjusting to cutbacks and, while he shows quickness to drop into coverage, he is slow to redirect on cuts (stiff hips), yet has a burst to close and make the tackle … Plays with alertness, reacting quickly to throws, but he isn't real instinctive and he doesn't anticipate or get a jump on the ball … Better fit for middle linebacker than on the outside, as he lacks the stride and long foot speed to cover receivers on the outside … Lacks natural hands for the interception or pass deflection … Uses his hands well to shed, but must do a better job of extending his arms to defeat cut blocks … Goes hard on blitzes and can accelerate in space, but he doesn't show lateral agility to avoid blockers on the move.

Compares To: NAPOLEAN HARRIS-Kansas City … Bell is a solid playmaker with good field awareness, but is a better fit for middle linebacker, as he lacks the loose hips, change-of-direction agility and second gear to give chase with receivers on the outside. He needs to develop better work habits and is politely called a "gamer" by the coaching staff, but it is more so because of his disdain for practices and the training room. He is a good tackler playing downhill, but he needs to work on his hand placement, as he leaves his chest exposed when his hands get outside his frame, letting blockers lock on and control him in close quarters.

2005: Bothered early in the season with a groin strain, seeing limited action vs. Idaho (9/10) and Nevada (9/17).

2006: Sat out the Utah, Texas Christian, San Diego State, Wyoming and Air Force games after suffering a left ankle sprain vs. Brigham Young (10/21).

AGILITTY TESTS

Campus: 4.72 in the 40-yard dash (against the wind) … 4.65 in the 40-yard dash (wind-aided) … 385-pound bench press … Bench presses 225 pounds 14 times … 27.5-inch vertical jump … 33-inch arm length … 9 ¾-inch hands … Right-handed … 14/18 Wonderlic score.

Attended Tustin (Cal.) High School, playing football for head coach Myron Miller … His versatility proved to be invaluable, as he competed at safety, outside and inside linebacker, defensive end, tailback and fullback during his career, in addition to handling place-kicking and punting chores … Two-time All-Century League and Defensive Most Valuable Player, as he produced 150 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions as a senior for the Tillers … Also carried the ball 55 times for 506 yards and eight touchdowns for the 2003 league champs … Selected to play in the prestigious Cal-Florida Game and registered five tackles.

University Studies major … Son of Joanne Wilson … Brother, Zach, was a teammate and linebacker at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (2001-04) … Member of the Rebel Leader-ship Committee in 2006 and 2007 … Prefers to be called "Beau" … Born James Beaumont Bell on 5/26/86 … Resides in Tustin, California.