Former Iowa db joins uconn. In an unexpected transfer portal move, a former Iowa database joins UConn Fans have taken notice of the former Iowa DB’s decision to join UConn.
On January 18, former Iowa defensive back CJ Bell declared his intention to transfer to UConn. After one season with Iowa, Bell, a 6-foot-1, 186-pound cornerback from Mansfield, Massachusetts, will now play for the Huskies. Bell teased that “it’ll all make sense soon” and hinted at “#Committed” when the news broke on social media. This is the most recent development in Iowa’s transfer portal story. Players like Bell will go wherever they see the best opportunity in today’s transfer-friendly college football environment.
Bell was an early enrollee in Iowa City and a three-star signee in Iowa’s 2025 recruiting class. At Connecticut’s St. Thomas More School, he excelled. Rutgers, Boston College, Penn State, and even Notre Dame extended offers to him during his recruitment. Bell finally decided on Iowa despite Rutgers’ attempts to flip him. He chose to transfer in order to gain more playing time after redshirting his freshman year. Bell was anticipated to grow into a potent coverage player for Iowa’s defense because of his speed and 6-foot-1 stature.
Bell played in the Hawkeyes’ 20-15 loss to Indiana on September 27 in his only Iowa game, but he didn’t record any stats. He practiced for the remainder of the season, essentially redshirting. Bell, one of many players looking for a new beginning, formally registered on the transfer portal on January 9.
Former Iowa db joins uconn wide-open cornerback spot awaits
Bell has four more years of eligibility and comes to Storrs prepared to compete right away. Under coach Jason Candle, UConn has been rebuilding and has added dozens of transfers this cycle. Bell gives the Huskies a cornerback with Power Five experience and the advantage of having practiced against elite Big Ten receivers. He might immediately have to fight for a starting position. Bell has a lot of opportunities to secure a starting position in UConn’s cornerback room now that a number of seasoned cornerbacks have left. To put things in perspective, Bell joins a roster full of new players as UConn has recently loaded up on portal players.
Bell is essentially going back to his hometown of the Northeast. Bell’s hometown of Mansfield, Massachusetts, is just an hour away from Storrs. He will compete for a starting position at UConn and gain on-field experience that he didn’t often get at Iowa. Bell is a plus for the Huskies. It gives a secondary that recently lost a number of starters due to a portal exodus more depth and experience. Bell’s action demonstrates a developing trend: young athletes using the portal to get more playing time and a better fit.
Bell’s exit is just one of Iowa’s numerous roster adjustments this offseason. Iowa will add fresh talent to take his place because the Hawkeyes have seen several players enter the transfer portal. Bell is focused on the future a chance to play early, develop his skills, and make an impact because he didn’t see much game action at Iowa. UConn is providing him with the opportunity to get more snaps. He has a high ceiling and is only 19 years old and just getting started.
Next autumn, keep an eye on this transfer. Bell has potential and perspective when he comes to UConn; he has gained knowledge from the Iowa program, which he now applies to the Huskies. Fans of UConn will be curious to see if Bell can have an impact right away. Iowa supporters will wish him luck in the interim and hope the Hawkeyes can find a replacement. Bell’s journey ultimately serves as a reminder that college athletes will go wherever they have confidence in their abilities and prospects. Bell has only given coaches and supporters a tantalizing hint for the time being: He wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “#Committed it’ll all make sense soon. If this move is successful on the field, only time will tell.
