Skyler Bell’s Historic Season Puts UConn Football on the National Map
Skyler Bell didn’t just have a great season - he had one of the seasons in college football this year. The UConn wide receiver turned in a 2025 campaign that was nothing short of historic, becoming the only player in the country to finish top-two in all three major receiving categories: catches, yards, and touchdowns. That’s not just rarefied air - that’s practically a solo flight.
To put it in perspective: Bell outperformed some of the most hyped names in the sport, including Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and USC’s Makai Lemon. This wasn’t just production in a vacuum - it was dominance on a national scale.
A Star in Storrs
After transferring from Wisconsin, Bell spent two years in Storrs and made every snap count. In 2025, he was the engine behind UConn’s 9-3 regular season, catching 101 passes for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns. Those numbers didn’t just lead the team - they put him in elite company across the country.
Only two receivers in the nation hit the 100-catch mark. Only three topped 1,200 receiving yards.
Bell did both. And his 13 touchdowns?
Second in the country, first in the Big Ten. That kind of all-around production makes it easy to see why he’s not just a Huskies fan favorite, but a legitimate NFL Draft prospect.
There’s no question: Bell will go down as one of the most productive players in UConn football history. And while his time in a Huskies uniform is officially over - he’s expected to sit out the upcoming Fenway Bowl against Army, as is quarterback Joe Fagnano - his impact on the program is already cemented.
Chasing History, Making It
Bell’s monster season earned him a spot as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the top receiver in college football. He also made history as the first UConn player ever named a first-team AP All-American. That’s not just a personal accolade - it’s a program-defining moment.
For a school that’s long been known for its basketball pedigree, Bell’s breakout year is a reminder that UConn football is capable of producing top-tier talent, too. And while he won’t be suiting up for the Fenway Bowl, his fingerprints are all over the Huskies’ second straight bowl appearance.
What’s Next for UConn Football
The Huskies will try to close out the season with a win over Army in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 27. It’s a chance to go back-to-back after last year’s win over North Carolina and finish with double-digit victories - a milestone that would only further validate the program’s upward trajectory.
But they’ll be doing it without two of their biggest stars in Bell and Fagnano. That puts the spotlight on the rest of the roster - and on the new head coach, who takes over following Jim Mora’s departure. It’s a transitional moment, but also an opportunity to show that UConn football has staying power.
Around the UConn Campus
While Bell’s season has made headlines, there’s no shortage of buzz elsewhere in Storrs.
- Men’s Basketball: The defending national champs are off to a 10-1 start and ranked No. 5 in the AP Poll. They open Big East play Tuesday night against Butler (8:30 p.m.
ET, Peacock/NBCSN). Butler comes in at 8-2, fresh off a double-overtime win over Providence and with quality victories over South Carolina and Virginia.
- Women’s Basketball: Geno Auriemma’s squad is, once again, a juggernaut. The Huskies are 10-0 and ranked No. 1 in the nation after a dominant 79-51 win over USC.
Next up: Marquette on Wednesday night at PeoplesBank Arena (7 p.m. ET), followed by a marquee showdown against No.
11 Iowa on Dec. 20 (1:30 p.m. ET).
- Recognition Across the Board: Six UConn football players were named 'Group of Five' All-Americans - a sign of the depth and talent on this year’s roster.
Final Word
Skyler Bell’s season was more than just numbers. It was a statement - about his talent, about UConn’s place in the college football landscape, and about what’s possible when a player fully taps into his potential. As he heads to the next level, he leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to top - and a bar that future Huskies will chase for years to come.