Wisconsin Football: WR Skyler Bell Poised for a Breakout Season

Wisconsin Football WR Skyler Bell ready to break out in 2023

Wisconsin football has undergone some changes in Luke Fickell’s short tenure.

From the hiring of Phil Longo to the additions of high-level receiving talent, the offense may be the group most impacted by these exciting changes. However, Wisconsin does have one receiving target who could be on the verge of a breakout under the revamped offense.

Skyler Bell, who’ll be a redshirt sophomore next season, had a productive season in 2022. In his redshirt freshman season, Bell started all 12 games. After posting 29 receptions for 439 yards and five touchdowns, the young receiver earned an honorable mention for the Freshman All-American team.

Following his excellent 2022 season, Bell is poised for a breakout year under Phil Longo’s air raid offense.

A look at Longo’s successful offense

Longo, a candidate for the Frank Broyles award in 2022, led North Carolina to one of the nation’s best passing offenses. Last season, UNC’s offense came in as the ninth-ranked passing offense in the country, with 317.2 passing yards per game. Longo also led the offense to 35 total passing touchdowns, good for the fifth most in the nation.

Wide receiver Josh Downs, the number one receiving target at UNC, put together a great stat line in 2022. The junior wide receiver finished with 94 receptions (6th-most in the country) for 1,029 yards and 11 touchdowns (7th in the nation).

Now imagine what Bell could do in this system.

In 2022, Bell took a massive step forward in his play. The New York native showed remarkable speed, making him a serious threat on deep balls. His speed wasn’t the only thing that got him open, as his footwork made him easily create separation. Remember, Bell was only in his second year last year. With an offseason to work and get comfortable in the new offense, the sky is the limit for this talented receiver.

Bell will head into 2023 in a system allowing him to flourish into one of Wisconsin’s most reliable receiving options. If he delves into some of that untapped potential he showed flashes of last year, Bell will burst into the national spotlight.

With new contributors all over the field, a receiver who’s already on campus will be one to watch. Bell already showed incremental improvements game-by-game in 2022. Next season, be ready for the young talent to break out.