Former Wisconsin wide receiver Skyler Bell announced his intention to exit the transfer portal and return to UConn for the 2025 season.
The former Badger entered the portal on Dec. 16 after one year with the Huskies. He played in UConn’s Wasabi Fenway Bowl win over North Carolina, indicating a return might be on the table. He made that return official with a post on X on Saturday afternoon.
Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, visits and commitments
Bell broke out for a career year with UConn in 2024, finishing with 50 catches, 860 receiving yards (team high), 17.2 yards per reception (team high) and five touchdowns (team high). Those numbers nearly surpass his three-year totals with the Badgers (2021-23): 69 catches, 755 yards and six touchdowns.
Bell was one of Wisconsin’s top receivers during the 2022 season, producing 30 receptions, 444 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He slid down the depth chart in 2023 after the arrival of Phil Longo’s air raid offense and a host of transfers at the position.
He and top receiver Chimere Dike transferred out after the 2023 campaign: Bell went to UConn, and Dike went to Florida.
Both players found considerable success with their new programs. Dike is off to the 2025 NFL draft. Bell will be back at UConn for his final year of eligibility.
PACK THE RENT. pic.twitter.com/QvcW1fRGBm
— Skyler Bell (@Juicebe11) January 4, 2025
Wisconsin is set to enter 2025 with Vinny Anthony, Trech Kekahuna, Ohio State transfer Jayden Ballard and Idaho transfer Mark Hamper leading its wide receiver corps. The room is set to a return to its pre-2023 look with new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes returning the program to a pro-style offense.
Bell’s performance at UConn will continue to be worth watching. He, Dike and Keontez Lewis (transferred to Oklahoma) have all found significant success since transferring out.
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