Bell, a Colorado native, favored the Broncos even before the draft. He began negotiating a deal when he wasn't selected in the NFL Draft on April 29-30.

"I know he really wanted to go there," UA offensive coordinator Mike Canales said. "This is going to be a good fit for him. I talked to a couple people in Denver, too, and they're real excited to have him."

Bell is the only player in UA history to lead the team in rushing for four seasons. He finished his UA career ranked fourth on the Cats' all-time rushing list with 3,163 yards, and also caught 56 passes for 463 yards.

Canales said Bell's pass-catching ability and smarts make him ideal for coach Mike Shanahan's West Coast offense, which primarily uses a one-back formation.

Bell could not be reached Monday. His answering-machine message said his cell phone was broken.

Denver has a history of developing running backs, including Tatum Bell, Quinton Griffin and Mike Anderson. The team's all-time leading rusher, Terrell Davis, was a sixth-round pick in 1995.

Bell becomes the fifth UA player in two weeks to sign with an NFL team. Kili Lefotu was a seventh-round draft pick of the Washington Redskins, while Danny Baugher (Bengals), Darrell Brooks (Cowboys) and Copeland Bryan (Titans) all signed free agent deals.

Fullback Gilbert Harris remains unsigned, though that could change by the end of the week. Canales said Harris is in San Diego working out with the Chargers. The club typically works out about 15 players a year before offering free agent contracts, Chargers spokesman Jamaal LeFrance said.