2025 CB CJ Bell Planning Notre Dame Return

OAKDALE, Conn. – CJ Bell‍ has already been to Notre Dame once and after working out here at Monday’s Connecticut Showcase, the 2025 St. Thomas More cornerback said he intends on returning.

Bell, who has early offers from UConn, UMass and Bowling Green, was in South Bend for last fall’s win over Clemson.

“The Notre Dame game was very good,” the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder told Irish Sports Daily afterward. “The culture, they treated me like it was family. The crowd was good.

“As soon as I walked in, they were like, 'Oh are you a player? You should come here,' this and that. It just felt like home. It was great.”

Bell was initially attracted to Notre Dame because it’s a faith-based school.

“Probably because it's a Christian school,” he said. “I'm really big on that.

“That's always been one of my dream schools. Me and my dad used to just watch them growing up.”

Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden was in attendance at Monday’s event and was evaluating Bell.

Bell and Golden had been in touch before the event as well.

“He said we're going to keep in contact with you,” Bell said of Golden. “We want you down here for camps and stuff like that.

“I'm definitely going to be down there and I want to show my abilities in front of all the coaches.”

Bell was proud of what he showed as a route-runner, ball-catcher and overall athlete on Monday and plans to do the same in South Bend.

In addition to the schools he has offers from, Bell has heard from several Power-5 programs.

“I've been in touch with Nebraska, Notre Dame, Duke, BC and LSU,” he said. "

He’s hoping to check out Duke and LSU this summer as well.

Comfort will be huge as Bell looks for the best college fit for him.

“Whatever best feels like home, that's where I'm going to go.”

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