Former Wisconsin wide receiver Skyler Bell was at the center of UConn’s Wasabi Fenway Bowl win over North Carolina on Saturday.
Bell tallied three catches for 77 yards and a touchdown in the 27-14 victory. His 38-yard touchdown in the first quarter gave the Huskies a 10-0 lead, one they would carry to the end of the contest.
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That headline is interesting in its own right — Bell excelled at UConn this season after transferring from Wisconsin after the 2023 campaign. It is even more noteworthy given the veteran wide receiver reentered the transfer portal on Dec. 17.
Bell is currently in the process of finding a new destination for his final year of eligibility. He utilized the Wasabi Bowl as a final showcase for interested teams, plus helped UConn clinch its first nine-win season since 2007.
Skyler Bell swan song #UConn🐺 pic.twitter.com/uualo0V9bQ
— Mr. Smith 👑 (@BadChoiceMilk) December 28, 2024
That approach is a rarity in the current age of college football. Those with NFL draft aspirations rarely suit up for a bowl game, let alone those already in the transfer portal. Colorado stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders are beginning to alter that first trend — both projected top-five picks are playing in the Buffaloes’ Alamo Bowl contest against BYU.
Outgoing transfers staying to finish the season is almost unheard of. Penn State backup Beau Pribula is one of many who even departed amid College Football Playoff runs.
Bell’s move to UConn was already a success before Saturday. He finished the regular season with 47 catches, a team-high 783 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. His decision to play in the game is a testament to the culture built by Huskies head coach Jim Mora. It’s also a credit to Bell, who will likely soon transfer to a top program for the 2025 season.
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