Michigan State football: Senior DB Not Pursuing Extra Eligibility

On Wednesday, Michigan State football held their weekly defensive press conferences to preview the upcoming matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes. One of the players made available to the local media was senior defensive back Malcolm Bell. The UConn transfer leads the Spartans in defensive snaps this season, and is quietly having one of the best seasons from a defensive player on this squad.

After he did not partake in the Senior Day festivities, there was some optimism and hope that Bell would be back for one more ride in 2026. However, that is not the case. When asked about not running out of the tunnel for an ovation, the fifth-year senior stated that he was not pursuing eligibility. Instead, he had participated in Senior Day during the 2024 season with the Huskies, and held the belief that a player should only celebrate Senior Day once.

“No, there’s no extra year coming, or anything like that,” Bell clarified. “It was just because I did my senior year, senior walk out with UConn last year, so I just wanted to honor it. I felt like it’s one of those events you only do once in your life time. So I did not want to do it twice, that is the only reason.”

Even with the Spartans out of bowl contention and Bell’s collegiate career coming to a close, there is a lot to play for. Bell understands this, and wants to give the program momentum for both himself and recruiting for the 2026 season.

“Even though I am not coming back, or some of the seniors not coming back, we understand that we have to win the game, since it has a big impact, a big factor for next season. All the games are important,” Bell explained.

What Michigan State football and Michigan State means to Malcolm Bell

With his career winding up, Bell was asked how he reflected on the season.

“This place means a lot to me,” Bell emphasized. “I’m really grateful for the institution and school to believe in me and trust me, because at the end of the day, you put a lot of money and time into us, so that hopefully, we will produce. Not everybody produces. Just being here (is) life-changing, the people, the state, the coaches, everything. I am very fortunate to be able to come here, since I would never reach a level of football that I am at right now. Playing such a high level every weekend, only makes you play better and only makes you reach a certain level that you need to stay in this league. I feel that if I never came to MSU, I would never reach this level. I would never get this good, I would never be able to have all these resources. Now that I am at the end, I am very grateful for everything. I would never change any of that. Everything happens for a reason.”

When asked for his transfer portal pitch towards players entering the portal in the next month and a half, Bell called Michigan State the place to be.

“I think it is the place to be if you want great football, you know what I am saying?” Bell asked, rhetorically. “If you like pressure, if you want to go somewhere that it means something to play football, I feel Michigan State is the spot to be at.”