NFL: D'Anthony Bell becomes first UWF player to make 53-man roster, Leatherwood cut by Bengals
Thirty-two NFL teams trimmed their rosters on Tuesday as final changes were made with a new season on the horizon.
University of West Florida's D'Anthony Bell made history, becoming the Argo to make an NFL 53-man roster. Signing with the Cleveland Browns after going undrafted this past spring, the 6-foot-1, 211-point safety was informed by general manager Andrew Berry Tuesday morning that he made the team.
"It was a blessing," Bell said to the media after practice on Tuesday. "I had been on the phone with my mom all night till about 1-2 a.m., so we've been praying all night and God is amazing."
2022 NFL Draft: West Florida High alum Kalia Davis taken by 49ers in NFL Draft, five area players sign as UDFAs
2022 NFL Draft: Pensacola native Martin Emerson drafted by Cleveland with the 68th pick in the draft
Arriving to Pensacola in 2019, Bell helped UWF captured a Division II National Championship that season. Last season with the Argos, Bell finished with 61 tackles, including a team-high 43 solo tackles, with two interceptions and two forced fumbles. He was named to the AFCA and the Associated Press Division II All-America first teams.
Bell solidified his spot on the Browns roster after collecting nine tackles and forcing two fumbles in three preseason games.
Now, he joins another familiar face in the Cleveland secondary as Pine Forest alum Martin Emerson is one of five defensive rookies on the 53-man roster.
Selected by the Browns with the 68th overall pick during the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Mississippi State product was had a 75-yard interception return touchdown in the team's first preseason game on Aug. 12 at Jacksonville.
Leatherwood cut by Raiders, joins Bears
On the other side of the spectrum, Alex Leatherwood's time with the Las Vegas Raiders lasted just one season.
Following a rocky rookie season, the Booker T. Washington alum was among the Raiders' final cuts on Tuesday as NFL teams whittled their rosters down to 53 players. Las Vegas was reportedly seeking a trade for Leatherwood, but unable to find a deal, the team decided to waive the offensive lineman, who will now look for a fresh start in Chicago after being claimed off waivers by the Bears on Wednesday.
Winning a pair of CFP National Championships with Alabama, Leatherwood was selected 17th overall in 2021 NFL Draft by the Raiders and then-general manager Mike Mayock. He started 17 games as a rookie at right tackle and right guard, but immediately struggled to adapt to the NFL level.
Leatherwood with called for 14 penalties and relinquished eight sacks, which was the second most in the league. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed 65 pressures last season.
Clarence Hicks waived by Bengals
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Clarence Hicks was one of 23 players waived by the Cincinnati Bengals. The Pine Forest alum and former Texas-San Antonio linebacker signed with the defending AFC champions in the spring as an undrafted free agent.
Reeves earns spots with Commanders
Lastly, although he's been in the NFL for several years, this cut day was a particularly special one for Jeremy Reaves. Despite being on the bubble, the Pensacola Catholic graduate earned his roster spot with the Washington Commanders.
The former South Alabama defensive back has appeared in 25 regular season games and one postseason game in his career, all with Washington.
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (850) 503-3828, on Twitter @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: NFL: UWF's D'Anthony Bell makes history, earns roster spot
