Amazing Transfer Story - BJ Bello

[fourthandshort]

Here is college story for BJ Bello, who made the 53 man roster for Cleveland .. this is amazing considering he never really got any meaningful reps at U of I, before transferring to ISU for his 5th year. Then doing couple pro days and getting his shot as undrafted free agent with Browns .. well, he made the team and is getting some reps as their 2nd stringer MLB.

Am I the only one who finds this story amazing .. he was a 3rd stringer at U of I ... U of frickin' I. Gets a shot with ISU and is now on NFL roster 2 deep. Look at his bio ... this just doesn't happen too often, so I thought it deserved its own thread.

Good for you BJ .. way to represent Redbird Nation !

http://goredbirds.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=4791

2016 at Illinois State: MVFC All-Newcomer Team selection ... played in all 12 games this season, with 11 starts after transferring from Illinois … led all ISU defenders with 9.5 tackles-for-loss and six sacks, with two forced fumbles … tied at No. 9 in the MVFC in sacks (6.0) … named MVFC Newcomer of the Week after the win over Missouri State (Nov. 12), after tallying eight tackles, with a half TFL and two pass breakups … had a season-high 11 tackles and added a sack at Indiana State (Sept. 24) … had a season-best 2.5 TFLs and nine tackles the previous week against Eastern Illinois (Sept. 17).

2015 at Illinois: Saw action in eight, primarily on special teams ... recorded a total of six tackles and one pass breakup on the season ... tallied two tackles and broke up a pass against Kent State ... added two tackles against Western Illinois.

2014 at Illinois: Recorded three tackles in nine games played.

2013 at Illinois: Played in four games and totaled four tackles ... had two tackles against Cincinnati ... made collegiate debut and his posted first career tackle against Southern Illinois.

2012 at Illinois: Redshirted.

http://fightingillini.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2173

 

[StLRedbird]

Could it be that - despite AGS & OSFB - the NFL is understanding this is place that generally has men of good character and ability? Kudos to Bello for pursuing the opportunity so aggressively. Absolutely living the dream of every athlete right now.

 

[fourthandshort]

Exactly .. he just kept pursuing an opportunity to play football.

As much as what Cam Meredith did converting from QB to WR in his 4th year, and becoming the Bears top WR is the more impressive accomplishment. But the BJ Bello story is more impressive .. he didn't switch positions .. he was 3rd string on a bad FBS football team and had tp drop down to FCS just so he could get on the field. It is not like he was thinking, "I'm an NFL caliber player riding the bench at U of I .. so I'm going to transfer to ISU, so I can pursue my NFL dream". I'd bet a lot of money, he just wanted to be on the field .. simple as that.

Imagine if he never transfers to ISU because he kept getting told he wasn't good enough while playing for crappy team. Could easily have said, I'm done after 4 years, or just coasted his 5th year and then been done.

Just a great story for him and frankly for our program.

 

[Chi-bird]

Thanks for sharing, Fourth,

This is a great example of perseverance and staying hungry. Way to go, BJ.

 

[ISUBU]

Perhaps there is some credit also to our coaching staff. Maybe they taught him reads, techniques, etc., that translated to the pro game. I'm not sure what offense U of I runs, but going against our pro style offense in practice may have helped develop his skills to play against that type of system.

I don't recall ever having this many former Redbirds on active NFL rosters at one time. We're doing some good things to develop talent.

 

[MPE773]

Maybe, just maybe this staff is really good at developing NFL talent. Recruits, take note.

 

[fourthandshort]

Maybe, just maybe this staff is really good at developing NFL talent. Recruits, take note.

Recruits and FBS players waiting their turn on a depth chart with bunch of guys just like you. Want to get on the field ?? Come to ISU and you don't have to wait to be eligible.

Just ask BJ Bello how that worked out for him. And a long list of home grown players and FBS transfers who had successful stints here, then got shots in NFL.

 

[MPE773]

Maybe, just maybe this staff is really good at developing NFL talent. Recruits, take note.

Recruits and FBS players waiting their turn on a depth chart with bunch of guys just like you. Want to get on the field ?? Come to ISU and you don't have to wait to be eligible.

Just ask BJ Bello how that worked out for him. And a long list of home grown players and FBS transfers who had successful stints here, then got shots in NFL.

Yep. This is what I would be selling. I'm sure Spack and staff are.

 

[fourthandshort]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/sports/ct-sta-pat-disabato-column-st-1008-20171007-story.html

cpamel found this Tribune article and posted on former players thread .. BJ Bello deserves his own thread. His story is bordering on unbelievable ... confirmed he was told by former Coach Cubit that he was not good enough for Illinois ... probably because he turned down Western Michigan when Cubit was coach there.

Sp where's Cubit now ? And wheres BJ Bello ... but BJ is handling his success and vindication with class.

Way to go Bj Bello ... inspiring and improbable story.

p.s. and if I'm being honest, I'm thinking .. thanks Cubit, for giving us BJ Bello .. now go f--- yourself for screwing with a good talented kid.

 

[fourthandshort]

just going to bump this thread ... BJ .. please call Tre Watson .. and Gabe if you know him too.

 

[Virginia Redbird]

I could not be happier for BJ and his success. He was great in his year with the Birds and you have to admire his determination and work ethic.
I also think it shows just how pathetic the Illini program is. No way this guy should have been sitting on the bench with the crap the Illini coaching staff put on the field every week. Not complaining...it made BJ a Redbird! I can't believe the Illini fans, few in number as they are at Zuppke field, pay the money they do to watch the mess on the field.