Newest Bell shows potential

ELY -- UNLV badly needs a stronger pass rush, a major reason why the Rebels signed junior defensive end B.J. Bell.

But he is practicing with the third team. Anything higher must be earned.

"I'm still evaluating him," defensive line coach Andre Patterson said. "When you're a (junior college) transfer and you come in here and try to learn all this stuff, it's hard. But he does have pass-rush ability. I'm going to find a way to use him."

Bell follows brothers Zach and Beau, who were linebackers at UNLV. Beau was the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and now is with the Cleveland Browns.

Patterson wouldn't predict when B.J. Bell, who had 10 sacks last season at Santa Ana (Calif.) College, might move up to second or even first team, saying the player still had to earn the coach's trust.

But Patterson said Bell (6 feet 2 inches, 260 pounds) is practicing well.

"He's making plays, getting sacks, chasing guys down from the back side," Patterson said. "He's athletic, he's big and strong. He looks the part. He looks like a big-time defensive end.

"I never want to put pressure on a guy that he's going to be the guy who can come in and get it done, because you just never know how fast he'll pick this stuff up. Because if he's got to think, he's not going to be the same player."

Bell admitted the adjustment from junior college has surprised him.

"A lot of people are moving a lot quicker than I anticipated," Bell said. "I thought it was going to be semi-close (to junior college), but it wasn't, really."

• SETTLED IN -- Sophomore Chris Jones made the move a year ago from quarterback to safety, and the switch allowed him to play right away.

Jones, a Shadow Ridge High School product, is the probable starter at strong safety and doesn't have the learning curve he had last season.

"I kept my head in the playbook because there's a lot of stuff to learn," Jones said. "Once you get the hang of it, it comes pretty easy. Now that I do have the hang of it, I can more play rather than think."

Jones, who last season started two games and played in 11, said he sometimes wonders about his old position.

"Of course, the love is still there to play quarterback," Jones said. "But football is football to me, so as long as I'm on the field, I'm fine with it."

• BUMPS AND BRUISES -- Sophomore tailback C.J. Cox has been limited because of a hamstring injury but could be at full speed after Saturday, coach Mike Sanford said. Cox is part of a five-man race for the spot.

Junior kicker Ben Jaekle, a Bonanza graduate, has been kicking Nerf balls as he continues his recovery from June back surgery. Sanford said he expects Jaekle to be ready for the season opener Sept. 5 against Sacramento State at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Sophomore wide receivers Phillip Payne (knee tendinitis) and Michael Johnson (groin, hip flexor) have minor injuries. They are being held out of afternoon practices, and both went through Thursday's single session.

• BACK AT WORK -- Interior offensive line coach Keith Uperesa joined the team for Wednesday's afternoon practice. He missed the morning session for blood tests that will determine when he can begin radiation treatments for thyroid cancer.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest practice reports at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.