Jayden Bell, Legacy Mountaineer and PWO | WVU Football All 105

All 105 is a West Virginia Sports Now series profiling each member of the 2025 WVU Football Roster.

Jayden Bell enrolled at West Virginia as a preferred walk-on (PWO) in 2023, a legacy Mountaineer whose father, Grantis, suited up as a wide receiver in Morgantown during the 1980s: his first season overlapped with Rich Rodriguez’s last as a player.

Bell, a cornerback with three seasons of eligibility remaining, stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 158 pounds. That’s a good deal lighter than the average college defensive back, but Bell hasn’t bulked up to this point in his college career: his listed weight remained constant in each of the past two seasons.

That might make it difficult for Bell to make it on the field through something like special teams play, which requires the ability to block or lay the lumber.

Otherwise, Bell could contribute to the Mountaineers on the scout team.

37 • Jayden Bell, redshirt sophomore cornerback

Last year: after taking a redshirt year in 2023, Bell didn’t appear in any game action during his first season of eligibility.

Stats: N/A

Camp outlook: Bell made it through the spring practice period, which saw a number of players cut as Rich Rodriguez trimmed down the roster to comply with the NCAA’s 105 man limit. Even though he hasn’t made it on the field yet in a West Virginia uniform, that speaks to his value for the Mountaineers.

Projected role: If Bell gets playing time in 2025, expect special teams snaps or work as a dime defender.

Accolades, highlights: Bell’s father worked as an NFL referee after his playing career ended. Often, penalties and other unforced errors are the most costly mistake an athlete fighting for playing time can make. Any knowledge of the game Bell managed to pick up from his dad could help him maintain a niche with the Mountaineers.

Coverage links:

WVSN Notebook 4/17/23: WVU Football Schedules Official Visits