Michigan Football: Ronnie Bell in beast mode, Jake Moody hits-game winner

Two former Michigan football players had solid showings in the NFL preseason for the 49ers as Ronnie Bell and Jake Moody both had stellar outings in game two. 

Ronnie Bell will always be one of my favorite Michigan football players. He didn’t have record-breaking numbers of anything but he was part of the turnaround.

Bell got hurt during the 2021 Michigan football season, which was a huge bummer because based on the game he did play, he would have had a huge season.

Despite a season-ending injury, Bell returned in 2022 and led Michigan football in yards and receptions after catching 62 passes for 889 and catching four touchdowns.

Bell was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2023 NFL draft and so far, the Niners have to feel great about the Michigan football product through two preseason games.

In the first game, Bell had some nice moments, catching three passes for 58 yards. But last night, in his second preseason game, the former Michigan football star went off. He caught seven passes for 114 yards, including a 43-yarder that set up the game-winning kick.

With that kind of production, Bell has to make the 53-man roster. If not, he’ll be on the waiver wire for only a few seconds before he’s claimed because he’s looked better than a seventh-round pick.

To be honest, I’m not surprised at all. Bell is probably fully healthy now because it always seems like guys are finally back from an injury in the second season after a major injury, so the 49ers really did get a steal in my book.

They are getting the Ronnie Bell we would have seen in 2021 if he wasn’t hurt and I feel like there’s no way that Bell gets drafted in the seventh round.

Jake “Money” Moody lives up to reputation

It wasn’t a perfect night for former Michigan football kicker Jake Moody, yet he did bury a game-winner for the 49ers against the Broncos in a 21-20 win.

Moody connected on three field goals in the game, including the 32-yarder that provided San Francisco with the winning points. However, he did miss an extra point earlier in the game.

Yet, the Niners have to feel good about what they’ve seen from their new kicker so far and frankly, that pick is going to make them look smart in a few years, just like Ronnie Bell will.