Michigan State CB Tre Bell is not taking his final year of college for granted

It's been a long journey for Michigan State redshirt senior cornerback Tre Bell, but he is set to begin the final season of his collegiate career.

MSU kicks off the 2026 season on Friday, Sept. 4, against the Toledo Rockets (8 p.m. Eastern Time on FS1).

Bell started his career at Lindenwood (Football Championship Subdivision) from 2022 through 2024 and played one season at Iowa State in 2025. Following the departure of ISU head coach Matt Campbell, Bell announced his intention to enter the transfer portal in late December of 2025, and officially entered the portal on Jan. 2. Bell committed to Michigan State just a few days later, following current MSU cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat to East Lansing after playing under Poteat with the Cyclones.

For Bell, who has been through a lot on and off the field, it feels as if his last year of college football arrived quickly. With limited time remaining in the college ranks on Bell's clock, he isn't taking anything for granted.

“It’s kind of crazy, really surreal,” Bell said when asked about the start of his final regular season of collegiate football. “(It’s) just a blessing to even be able to play a last year of college (football). Just going to it, just trying to maximize the opportunity I'm given because obviously it's a blessing. So yeah, my head's in a lot of places, but I'm excited and ready to go.”

With that in mind, Bell has been itching to get back on the field and play a real opponent ever since his 2025 season ended with Iowa State. After transferring to a new school, a long offseason program that included intense strength and conditioning training and spring ball, and preseason camp over the past month, Bell is ready for competition outside of his own team.

“I think I’ve felt that way since the last game of the season I played last year (at Iowa State),” Bell said about his desire to play an opponent after a long offseason and grueling preseason camp. “But honestly, I went to this winter block in the spring and the summer, just like embracing it all and taking it all in because you never know when it's your last time. So I was really just taking it all in and just really enjoying it and pushing through it.”

As mentioned, Bell started his career at a lower level of football with Lindenwood in the FCS. He spent three seasons with the Lions before moving up to the Football Bowl Subdivision level and playing in the Big 12 Conference with Iowa State this past season. Now, Bell has the opportunity to play his final year of collegiate eligibility in the Big Ten, arguably the best conference in the country.

The trajectory of Bell's career is something that perhaps he wasn't even expecting. However, his faith and personal growth through adversity helped him get to where his today. In fact, if Bell were able to speak to his former self, he would have some advice.

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