University of Colorado’s Jered Bell runs back an interception for a touchdown during a game against Central Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at Folsom Field in Boulder. (Jeremy Papasso, Daily Camera)
BOULDER — Speaking Wednesday following Colorado’s second spring football practice, coach Mike MacInytre said CU’s compliance department has not yet received word from the NCAA on whether or not safety Jered Bell will receive a rare sixth year from the NCAA.
MacIntyre believes it is almost a given that Bell will get to suit up for the Buffaloes this fall.
Bell sat out the 2014 season as a fifth-year senior after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee during August drills. In 2011 as a sophomore, Bell redshirted after tearing the ACL in his left knee during August camp.
A native of Pasadena, Calif., Bell was a full-time starter at free safety in 2013 and was expected be have that job last fall.
In 2013, Bell recorded 67 tackles, three interceptions and six pass breakups.
“We feel, we hope, that it is a slam dunk because Jered missed two full years, with (injuries to) both knees,” MacIntyre said of Bell receiving a sixth year. “Hopefully, we’ll learn something this spring.
“But we feel good about it. He didn’t even play a snap in two seasons, and he’s a good student.”
Although injuries ended their seasons early, CU’s starters at the safety positions in 2014 were then-sophomores Tedric Thompson and Chidobe Awuzie. Coaches want to work Awuzie at different positions this spring, and he possibly could move to cornerback in the fall, especially if Bell returns and fills a spot at safety.
