CJ Bell Jr.
CJ Bell Jr. is a three-star recruit from Mansfield, MA, out of St. Thomas More (Prep) (No. 1,049 in the 2025 class) who has not played in UConn's 8 games this season.
Where Bell comes from
- Mansfield, MA
- St. Thomas More (Prep)
- About 50 miles from Pratt & Whitney Stadium
- Three-star, No. 1,049 in the 2025 class; signed with Iowa.
Where Bell fits
UConn lists 21 defensive backs this season.
UConn defensive backs with a game this season
UConn is 4-4. Next: vs North Carolina, Sat Nov 7.
Similar players
Same class and position
Arrived at UConn from Iowa.
Where to follow
Splits
Home and road splits, scheme and staff
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Jason Candle
Pass share
44.1%
226 pass / 286 run
Plays / game
64.0
8 games
Team sack rate
9.1%
274 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-leaning.
Awards
A three-star recruit at defensive back for UConn -- now projected as a quality contributor in the secondary.
No college stat recorded yet. Here's what we know.
Grades highest in speed and zone coverage.
2 have gone on to the NFL Draft since 2015. Byron Jones went on to the NFL out of this room (2015).
Two seasons, two schools
- 2026 UConn CandleYear 2 · Games –
- Jan 2026 Entered the transfer portalIowa to UConn
- 2025 Iowa FerentzYear 1 · Games –
- High school St. Thomas More (Prep)Mansfield, MA · Class of 2025Three-star, No. 1,049 in the 2025 class. Signed with Iowa.
Moves
- Transferred from Iowa to UConn, Jan 24, 2026.
2025
- Signed with IowaThree-star, out of St. Thomas More (Prep)
2026
- Transferred to UConnfrom Iowa
Coaching lineage · 2025–2026
2 coachesPlayed for 2 head coaches at 2 schools: Kirk Ferentz and Jason Candle.
Next stop · Transfer
Transferred to UConn