Kentucky will be without a potential starter on defense in 2017 as head coach Mark Stoops has dismissed senior defensive end Alvonte Bell for violating team rules.
Stoops confirmed the news during a Tuesday press conference, according to the Associated Press, by reportedly saying Bell is “no longer with us” as a result of violating team rules.
Bell recorded 27 tackles last season along the defensive line and made four starts at his position for the Wildcats. This isn’t his first run-in with the coaching staff however, as he was suspended last fall for one game as a result of non-specified issues.
The defensive end did return to the team down the stretch though, but underwent offseason surgery to repair his right knee after hurting it in the team’s bowl game.
The departure of Bell and Courtney Miggins means Kentucky will be looking for not one, but two new starting defensive ends in 2017.
