It's been an amazing year for Huskies' wide receiver Skyler Bell, who is one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award.
University of Connecticut wide receiver Skyler Bell was included in prestigious company on Tuesday afternoon, as he was named as one of three finalists for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the best receiver in college football.
Per the official "X" account of the award:
Congratulations to SkylerBell @Juicebe11 on being named a Biletnikoff Award Finalist! The Biletnikoff Award recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver at any position. @UConnFootball@UConnHuskies #OutstandingReceiver #NCFAA
Bell is up against Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) and Makai Lemon (Southern California). Many college football pundits thing that Smith would be the No. 1 pick in next year's NFL Draft if he was eligible to come out. Only a sophomore, he is not eligible until the 2027 draft.
About Bell
A fifth-year senior, Bell played his first three seasons at Wisconsin and his last two in Storrs. He currently leads the nation in receptions (101) and yards (1,278). He also leads the nation in receiving touchdowns with 13.
For his career, he has 220 catches and 2,893 yards. He's caught 24 touchdowns, including 18 with the Huskies.
He's had eight catches or more in each of his last six games and is a major reason why the Huskies are 9-3 heading into bowl season.
About Smith
The best weapon on the No. 1 team in the country, Smith has 69 catches for 902 yards this season. His 10 touchdowns are tied for the lead in the Big 10. He helped Ohio State win the national championship last season as a true freshman, when he had a Big 10-best 1,315 yards.
About Lemon
A junior, he leads the Big 10 in receptions with 78 and yards (1, 124). He is also tied for the league-best 10 touchdowns. A junior, he has 136 career catches.
About Fred Biletnikoff
An All-American at Florida State in the 1960s, he was the No. 2 pick in the 1965 draft (Oakland Raiders). He played in two AFL All-Star Games and four AFC-NFC Pro Bowl Games. He also played in three AFL championship games. He was named MVP of Super Bowl XI as the Raiders won. He was a two-time All-Pro selection and is a Hall of Famer.
He had 589 career receptions for nearly 9,000 yards. He had 76 receiving touchdowns.
About the award
The Biletnikoff Award is presented annually to the season’s outstanding college football receiver regardless of position (the award defines receiver as any player who catches a pass hence, tight ends, slot receivers and backs, inside receivers, wide receivers, split ends, and running backs are eligible)
About the Biletnikoff Award « Biletnikoff Award
When is the award given out?
Dec. 12, which is the day before the Heisman Trophy.
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