UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell became the first player in the history of the Huskies football program to be named a first-team Associated Press All-American. 

The All-America lists were issued Monday afternoon, with Bell joining Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith and Makai Lemon of Southern California as first-team receivers.

The team was chosen by the 52 people who vote for the Top 25 each week during the regular season. 

Bell, a senior, was named a second-team Walter Camp Foundation All-American team member on Friday. He also was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s top wide receiver, and he was named a first-team Group of Five All-American.

Since 1955, UConn (9-3) has had 18 players on either the first or second-team All-America list from the Walter Camp Foundation and Bell is the fifth Huskies receiver to earn the distinction, and the first since 1997. Back then, Carl Bond earned the honors. But again, he's the first Huskies player to be on the first-team for the AP list.

A fifth-year senior, Bell played his first three seasons at Wisconsin and his final two in Storrs. He finished second in the nation in receptions (101), yards (1,278) and receiving touchdowns 13 in 2025.

It is likely UConn (9-3) fans have seen Bell’s final game.

John Pierson of WTNH-TV in Connecticut reported Friday that quarterback Joe Fagnano and Bell likely will not play in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 27 in Boston against Army (6-6).

Bell and Fagnano both have the NFL draft ahead of them. Bell is certain to be drafted, barring injury or other circumstances not expected, and Fagnano played himself into a possible draft spot.

More UConn stories

Geno Auriemma makes major declaration at Sue Bird number retirement ceremony

UConn football has new head coach in wake of Jim Mora's departure

Bell joins an impressive list of 2025 first-team AP All-Americans, led by 10 from the Big Ten and six from the Southeastern Conference. They are:

Wide receiver —Makai Lemon, Southern California, junior, 5-11, 195, Los Angeles.

Wide receiver — Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, sophomore, 6-3, 223, Miami Gardens, Fla.

Wide receiver — Skyler Bell, UConn, senior, 6-0, 185, New York.

Tackle — Francis Mauigoa, Miami, junior, 6-6, 335,Ili’ili, American Samoa.

Tackle — Spencer Fano, Utah, junior, 6-6, 308, Spanish Fork, Utah.

Guard — Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon, senior, 6-5, 318, Denver.

Guard — Beau Stephens, Iowa, senior, 6-5, 315, Blue Springs, Mo.

Center — Logan Jones, Iowa, graduate, 6-3, 202, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Tight end — Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt, graduate, 6-4, 235, Denton, Texas.

Quarterback — Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, junior, 6-5, 225, Miami.

Running back — Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, junior, 6-0, 214, St. Louis.

Running back — Ahmad Hardy, Missouri, sophomore, 5-10, 210, Oma, Miss.

Kicker — Kansei Matsuzawa, Hawaii, senior, 6-2, 200, Tokyo.

All-purpose — KC Concepcion, Texas A&M, junior, 5-11, 190, Charlotte, N.C..

First-team defense

Edge rusher — David Bailey, Texas Tech, senior, 6-3, 250, Irvine, Calif.

Edge rusher — Cashius Howell, Texas A&M, senior, 6-2, 248, Kansas City, Mo.

Interior lineman — Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, junior, 6-3, 326, Suwanee, Ga.

Interior lineman — Landon Robinson, Navy, senior, 6-0, 287, Fairlawn, Ohio.

Linebacker — Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech, senior, 6-1, 235, Wichita Falls, Texas.

Linebacker — Arvell Reese, Ohio State, junior, 6-4, 243, Cleveland.

Linebacker — CJ Allen, Georgia, junior, 6-1, 235, Barnesville, Ga.

Cornerback — Leonard Moore, Notre Dame, sophomore, 6-2, 195, Round Rock, Texas.

Cornerback — Mansoor Delane, LSU, senior, 6-0, 190, Silver Spring, Md.

Safety — Caleb Downs, Ohio State, junior, 6-0, 205, Hoschton, Ga.

Safety — Bishop Fitzgerald, Southern California, senior, 5-11, 205, Woodbridge, Va.

Defensive back — Jakari Foster, Louisiana Tech, senior, 6-0, 211, Piedmont, Ala.

Punter — Cole Maynard, Western Kentucky, senior, 6-1, 180, Mooresville, N.C.

Remember to join our UCONN on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Huskies fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!