About – new

Anthony “AJ” Bell Jr. is a redshirt freshman wide receiver at Missouri State University, where he’s majoring in Graphic Design. Born and raised in Boynton Beach, FL (Palm Beach County), AJ and his family moved to Dallas, GA when he was 12. Academics has always been important in his family, and that discipline carried straight into his approach to college — AJ was named to the Missouri State Athletic Director’s Honor Roll for the Spring 2026 semester.

Growing up, AJ was always around family. He spent most days and weekends with his cousins playing football in the backyard of his grandparents’ house — that’s where his love for the game began. He started playing organized football at 9 years old for the Boca Jets in Boca Raton, FL. After moving to Georgia, he played for the East Paulding Raiders before moving on to Paulding County High School, where he played wide receiver all four years. Every coach he’s had has said he has “pure hands,” and he’s always taken pride in the work he puts in to stay sharp at the position.

At Paulding County, AJ earned all-region honors as a junior and, as a senior, caught 29 passes for 775 yards and 4 touchdowns — good enough for 6A all-state and all-region recognition and a spot among the top 15 receivers in Class 6A. That body of work earned him the opportunity to continue his career at the next level.

Now he’s a Bear. AJ stepped into one of the most talented receiver rooms in the program and redshirted his true freshman year in 2025, using the season to sharpen his game behind the scenes — he was named Missouri State’s offensive scout team player of the week twice, for the games against Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State. He’s carrying that work ethic into this next chapter as he competes for reps heading into his redshirt freshman season.

AJ comes from a family that is rooted in faith, and he truly thanks God for what He has allowed him to accomplish so far in his life. Even away from home in Springfield, MO, his faith stays central to who he is — he grew up in the youth ministry “The Plug” at LinkedUp Church in Atlanta, GA, and that foundation travels with him.

Outside of football, AJ is pursuing his passion for Graphic Design and exploring the broader world of creative and media work — business, marketing, and CIS all interest him as well, and he’s excited to keep building skills in the classroom that complement what he’s doing on the field. Going into this season, he’s grateful for the journey that brought him here and excited to keep showcasing the work he puts in on and off the field.

#GoBears #WeAreMoState #KingdomFitted #AllThingsThroughChrist