By Hawk Fanatic

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Freshman defensive back Charles “CJ” Bell is the latest member of the Iowa football team to enter the transfer portal since the end of the 2025 season.

The Mansfield, Massachusetts native announced his decision Friday on social media.

Bell was redshirted this season, meaning he still has four years of eligibility. He played briefly in the 20-15 loss to Indiana, but had no statistics.

Bell is the third Iowa defensive back to enter the portal since the season ended, joining starting strong safety Koen Entringer and reserve safety Kael Kolarik.

Iowa also has lost starting punter Rhys Dakin to the portal, along with running backs Jaziun Patterson and Terrell Washington Jr., defensive end Brian Allen and walk-on quarterback Jackson Stratton.

Dakin and Patterson have since committed to Michigan State where they will join former Iowa special teams coordinator LeVar Woods, who was recently hired by new Michigan State head Pat Fitzgerald to be his assistant head coach and special teams coordinator.

Iowa also has added six players from the transfer portal since the 2025 season ended: former North Dakota State kicker Eli Ozick, former Villanova defensive back Anthony Hawkins, former Holy Cross defensive lineman Brice Stevenson, former James Madison offensive lineman Trent Wilson, former Elon defensive end Kahmari Brown, and former Northern Illinois defensive end Lance Ingold.

Former South Dakota running back LJ Phillips also visited Iowa over the last two days. He rushed for 1,921 yards and scored 19 touchdowns this season.

Former Robert Morris safety Xavier Styles also reportedly visited Iowa on Thursday and plans to visit Pittsburg on Saturday. The 6-2, 190-pound sophomore had 36 tackles, six pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and one interceptions this past season.

Iowa is also reportedly one of the top six schools for former Memphis defensive back Chris Bracy, who this past season made 81 tackles (48 solo, 33 assisted), nine pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble.

Before playing with the Tigers, Bracy spent two seasons with Alabama-Birmingham. He will have two seasons of eligibility.