Former Alabama and Wisconsin linebacker Christian Bell is transferring to South Alabama to play his graduate transfer season after decommitting from Illinois earlier this month.
Bell announced in March that he had chosen to play for the Fighting Illini to finish his college career but on June 1 the former Badger decommitted from the school and re-opened his transfer process.
Due to a uncertain situation I have decided to decommit from The University of Illinois! I want to thank the entire Illinois family and coaching staff for welcoming me ! With that being said I am opening my recruitment back up ! It’s not over until it’s over ! GODS PLAN ‼️
— Christian Bell (@BELL_ringerr) June 1, 2020
The news was confirmed by South Alabama head coach Steve Campbell during an interview with AL.com and an article from 247Sports quoted the head coach talking about landing the former Badger.
“We’re excited to have him on board,” Campbell said. “He can come in and definitely give us some help rushing the quarterback. He’s a guy that’s played in the Big Ten and made some plays against good competition. He’ll give us some experience on that side of the football. He’s a big pick-up for us.”
Bell finished his Wisconsin career–one which began after spending one semester at Alabama after committing there out of high school–with 10 games played in three years and a total of nine tackles, two tackles-for-loss and two sacks.
He now joins a South Alabama program where he has a good chance to start in what will be his final season of college football.