Skyler Bell Makes UConn History as First AP First-Team All-American
For a program that’s been grinding for decades to gain national recognition, UConn football just got its moment. Wide receiver Skyler Bell has officially become the first player in Huskies history to earn a spot on the Associated Press First-Team All-America list - a milestone achievement not just for Bell, but for the entire UConn program.
The AP released its All-America teams Monday, selected by the same 52 voters who rank the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Bell joins elite company on the first-team wide receiver list, alongside Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and USC’s Makai Lemon - both big-time names from powerhouse programs. But Bell’s inclusion stands out, not just because of where he plays, but because of how he played.
A Record-Breaking Season in Storrs
Let’s talk numbers - because Bell’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of dominant. The fifth-year senior hauled in 101 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns, finishing second in the nation in all three categories.
That kind of production would be eye-popping at Alabama or Ohio State. Coming out of UConn?
It’s historic.
Bell didn’t just make the AP list. He’s been racking up postseason honors across the board.
On Friday, he was named to the Walter Camp Foundation’s Second-Team All-America list and was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the best wide receiver in college football. He was also recognized as a First-Team Group of Five All-American - a nod to his dominance outside the Power Five spotlight.
Since 1955, only 18 UConn players have earned First- or Second-Team honors from the Walter Camp Foundation. Bell becomes just the fifth wide receiver from the program to make that cut - and the first since Carl Bond in 1997.
But this AP nod? That’s a first in the program’s history.
From Madison to Storrs: A Career of Growth
Bell’s journey to this moment wasn’t a straight line. He began his college career at Wisconsin, where he spent three seasons before transferring to UConn. Over the past two years in Storrs, he’s blossomed into one of the most productive and polished receivers in the country - a testament to his work ethic and adaptability.
At 6-foot, 185 pounds, Bell doesn’t have the prototypical size of some of his fellow All-Americans, but what he lacks in sheer physicality, he makes up for with precise route-running, reliable hands, and a knack for finding space in any coverage. He was the go-to target in UConn’s offense all season long, and defenses knew it - they just couldn’t stop it.
What’s Next? Likely the NFL
While UConn fans would love one more game with Bell in uniform, it looks like his college career may have already wrapped. Reports indicate that both Bell and quarterback Joe Fagnano are unlikely to play in the upcoming Fenway Bowl against Army on Dec.
- Both are eyeing the NFL Draft, and for Bell, a selection feels all but certain.
Fagnano, who also had a strong season, is reportedly drawing draft interest of his own. But Bell is the headline name here - a player who not only rewrote UConn’s receiving record books but also put the program on the national map in a way no one else has before.
The Bigger Picture
Bell’s All-America selection is about more than individual accolades. It’s a signal that UConn football is capable of developing top-tier talent and competing for national recognition - even in a crowded college football landscape. With a new head coach stepping in following Jim Mora’s departure, the timing couldn’t be better for a program looking to build on momentum.
Bell’s success is also a reminder that elite players can come from anywhere - not just the traditional blue bloods. His journey from Madison to Storrs to the All-America list is a story of perseverance, talent, and seizing opportunity.
2025 AP First-Team All-Americans: Notable Names
Bell joins a loaded 2025 AP First-Team All-American roster, which features 10 players from the Big Ten and six from the SEC. Here’s a look at some of the standout names joining him:
Wide Receivers
- Makai Lemon, USC (Junior) - 5-11, 195, Los Angeles
- Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State (Sophomore) - 6-3, 223, Miami Gardens, Fla.
- Skyler Bell, UConn (Senior) - 6-0, 185, New York
Offensive Line
- Francis Mauigoa, Miami - Tackle
- Spencer Fano, Utah - Tackle
- Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon - Guard
- Beau Stephens, Iowa - Guard
- Logan Jones, Iowa - Center
Backfield
- Fernando Mendoza, Indiana - Quarterback
- Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame - Running Back
- Ahmad Hardy, Missouri - Running Back
Defense Highlights
- David Bailey, Texas Tech - Edge Rusher
- Caleb Downs, Ohio State - Safety
- Arvell Reese, Ohio State - Linebacker
- Leonard Moore, Notre Dame - Cornerback
Special Teams
- Kansei Matsuzawa, Hawaii - Kicker
- Cole Maynard, Western Kentucky - Punter
Skyler Bell’s name now lives among the best in the country. And for UConn, it’s a moment that will be remembered - not just for what it means today, but for what it could spark in the years to come.