Blake Bell is off to a fresh start in his NFL journey. The former Oklahoma quarterback turned tight end was claimed by the Minnesota Vikings on wavers Sunday afternoon, according to to the NFL transaction wire.
Bell was a fourth-round pick by San Francisco two years ago. At that time current Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano was coaching the 49ers tight ends. Bell started five games as a rookie, catching 15 passes for 186 yards. He played 25 snaps (19 on special teams) vs. the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in last month’s preseason game. He’ll join Kyle Rudolph and David Morgan at the tight end position on the Vikings active roster.
New #Vikings TE Blake Bell is the son of former #Seahawks TE Mark Bell. His uncle, Mike Bell, was DE with #Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/7RhRJAuAmF
— Kevin Brown (@KevinBrownNFL) September 3, 2017
Ranked as a 4-star recruit by Scout.com, Bell came to Oklahoma as a part of the 2010 recruiting class. In 2013 he started eight games for the Sooners at quarterback, most notably leading OU to victory at Notre Dame with 232 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also came off the bench in the Bedlam game to throw for 140 yards on 10 of 16 passing, including a game-wining touchdown pass with 19 seconds to play.