Former Wayne State University running back
Joique Bell of the New Orleans Saints was voted to the D2Football.com All-Decade Second Team.
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Bell was the winner of the 2009 Harlon Hill Trophy as the top football player in NCAA Division II. He was a three-time (
2006,
2007 and
2009) Harlon Hill semifinalist (top 24 nationally) and a four-time First Team All-GLIAC selection. The Benton Harbor, Mich., native had 6,728 career rushing yards (sixth in D-II/8th in NCAA history), while his 152.91 rushing yards per game was 11th in D-II and 25th in NCAA history.
He scored 576 points which ranks fourth in D-II and fifth in NCAA history, while his 13.1 points per game average is fourth in D-II and 10th in NCAA history. Bell's 8,055 all-purpose yards is fourth in D-II and ninth in NCAA history.
Bell was only the fourth person in GLIAC history to be a two-time conference Offensive Back of the Year award winner. He scored 96 touchdowns (88 rushing, 8 receiving) in 44 games plus passed for another four. Bell finished with 918 receiving yards and set WSU records for rushing attempts (1,181), total offense (7,008) and total plays (1,198).
The two-year team captain was responsible for 100 touchdowns via rushing, passing and receiving in his career and had at least one reception in 37 games.
Bell became the fourth player in D-II history with two 2,000-yard rushing seasons (Abilene Christian's Bernard Scott in 2007-08; Emporia State's Brian Shay in 1996-98; and C.W. Post's Ian Smart in 2001-02). His 1,181 career rushing attempts ranks sixth in NCAA history (all divisions) and second in NCAA Division II history.
After signing as a free agent following the 2010 NFL Draft, Bell spent the entire pre-season with the Buffalo Bills rushing for two scores and 152 yards on 27 carries for a team-high 5.6 yards per carry. He also had four receptions and two kickoff returns.
He was signed by Philadelphia from Buffalo's practice squad on Sept. 21, 2010, and played in three games on special teams for the Eagles before being waived on Nov. 9. Indianapolis signed Bell and he participated in five regular-season contests for the Colts from Nov. 10 through Dec. 14.
The Eagles then signed him to their practice squad on Dec. 16 and he remained there until the Saints signed him to their active roster on Jan. 5 for their playoff game in Seattle.