Miami Dolphins' hidden gem Quinton Bell: 'I love the grind. I love the mud.'

MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins edge rusher Quinton Bell has been a part of 24 NFL transactions involving the Raiders, Buccaneers, Falcons, Eagles and Dolphins.

From drafted in the 7th round ... to waived ... to released ... signed to practice squad ... released ... signed to active roster ... signed to practice squad ... signed to reserve/future contract ... and on and on...

It's one thing to look at this list.

But what's it like to live it?

"I feel like my whole career, starting in college, has just been a grind," Bell, 28, said after Monday's training camp practice. "Get it out the mud, as we say. Going through that has made me stronger. It's made me work even harder. I love when people tell me I can't. I love when people tell me no. Because I've always known what I'm about. And I've always known my skill set. And what I can be."

Bell was the only player wearing an orange jersey at practice Monday. It's because coaches recognized him as the player of the last practice.

"It's always a wonderful feeling when you come out here grinding every day trying to get better and just leaving it all out there," Bell said. "That work is being noticed and appreciated. It only makes me want to go harder. So I come out here every day. The orange jersey is just the beginning."

Miami Dolphins training camp breakout player: Quinton Bell

Bell grew up in Long Beach, California, where he played wide receiver, cornerback, safety and outside linebacker in high school.

Bell was recruited by schools like San Diego and Sacramento State, and landed at Prairie View A&M, a historically black college in the SWAC.

Bell played three seasons at wide receiver, before defensive coordinator Todd Middleton convinced him to make the switch to edge rusher.

"I was taking a nap in my dorm room one day and he called me," Bell said. "At the time it was a crazy request. I was about 215 pounds. Ultimately it's the best decision I've very made."

Bell has seized an opportunity. Edge rushers Bradley Chubb (knee) and Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) have not practiced. Shaquil Barrett surprisingly retired.

Yes, the Dolphins drafted edge rushers Chop Robinson and Mo Kamara. But it is Bell who has made the most plays, often against top Miami players.

"The first time I saw Quinton was walking through the hallway and I asked what offensive lineman that was because he was so big," Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow said. "But his mentality has just been great. He does everything the right way. He approaches it the right way. He has the right mindset."

Powerful. Fast. Quinton Bell comes from nowhere to ... potential starter?

And he is strong. Really, really strong.

"He has the skill set to do what we're asking him to do," Crow said. "Yeah, he's powerful and he has length. And he knows how to use them to his advantage and when you combine that with an attacking mindset then good things happen on the field."

Bell had 7.5 sacks as a senior at Prairie View A&M.

But he has not had an opportunity like the one before him now.

Bell has not only a very good chance to make Miami's roster, but a very good chance to contribute - maybe even start - early in the season.

"Here’s a guy that comes to work every day with no excuses, doesn’t tally how many opportunities he gets; he makes the most of the ones that he does get," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. "And because of that, when you have that type of mindset, you get more and more opportunities. So at a cool spot in his career."

Bell will face his former team, the Falcons, in joint practices in Miami Gardens on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In five years in the NFL, Bell has played only nine NFL games - five with the Bucs and four with the Falcons.

Bell wants and needs to demonstrate his speed and motor in joint practices and games.

It's been such a long, hard journey. This has to be his moment.

"I love the grind," Bell said. "I love the mud. And I feel like ultimately all of these things that I've been through have made me better. And made me want it more."

Schad column How Dolphins' best Top 100 players must lead charge as they 'intend to be different'

Training Camp Day 10 Report How Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins fared

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins edge Quinton Bell may be breakout player of training camp