The semi-finalists for the Biletnikoff Award were announced yesterday, and the award for the best receiver in the nation has been narrowed down to 13. There are five receivers from the Big Ten on the list, so Badger fans will recognize many of the names, but one name will jump out: Skyler Bell, who left the Big Ten and Wisconsin for UCONN and has been scorching defensive backs ever since.
The B1G has 5⃣ of the 13 Biletnikoff semifinalists 👀 pic.twitter.com/1wI0PzKQ8r
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 18, 2025
Former Wisconsin WR Skyler Bell is one of the best wide receivers in the nation
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It's hard to see his name on the list given, where Wisconsin is, and how poor the offense has been over the past three years. There was even the idea that the Badgers just didn't have good receivers, and yet we have been watching Bell thrive ever since leaving.
If you have paid attention to college football this season, Bell's name shouldn't surprise you. He's been one of the best in the nation on the stat sheet and on the highlight reels. There are still a few games left for UCONN, and yet Bell is already putting up career numbers. Bell has 93 catches for 1,151 yards and 13 touchdowns.
To put that in perspective, at this point in the season, he's third in receiving yards per game, he's second in the FBS (by four yards) in total yards, first in receptions, catches per game, and receiving touchdowns.
His 13 touchdowns actually put him tied for 10th in total touchdowns. He's a machine for UCONN this year and rightfully deserves to be on this list, and truly, maybe even win the whole thing.
When many Wisconsin fans thought the cupboards were bare, Bell is a reminder that they truly weren't, and he's found impressive heights in a new home at UConn.