The Wisconsin Badgers have lost one of their top receivers to the transfer portal this morning. Third-year wide receiver Skyler Bell announced via X that he entered the transfer portal.
“Thank you to Wisconsin Football and Badger Nation for taking me in with open arms. My time as a Badger has been nothing but great moments, experiences, and bringing me nothing but great relationships along the way.
I want to thank Coach Chryst, Coach Whitted, Coach Leonhard, and Coach Turner for giving me an opportunity to be a Badger. I also want to thank my teammates that I was in that locker room with for 3 years. The depth of the relationships stretch far beyond football. I love y’all boys.
I want to also thank Coach Fick, Coach Longo, and Coach Brown for giving me an opportunity to be a part of this team and helping me better my game. I will forever appreciate the love from the fans, staff, and my teammates along the way. I will forever be a Badger in my heart. I wish nothing but the best for my teammates and Badger Nation.
After much consideration and thought, I have decided to enter my name into the NCAA Transfer Portal with 2 years of eligibility left.
THANK YOU, MADISON.”
The Wisconsin Badgers wide receiver committed in 2021.
Skyler Bell committed to the Badgers as a three-star recruit for the 2021 season. He redshirted in his first season with the team but appeared in the Las Vegas Bowl game against Arizona State, where he had one reception for 15 yards.
Bell got significant playing time during the 2022 season.
Bell got significant playing time in his redshirt freshman season because their top two receivers from last year, Danny Davis III and Kendric Pryor, entered the 2022 NFL Draft. He appeared in every game and had 30 receptions for 444 yards and five receiving touchdowns. He also had 160 rushing yards on 13 carries. He was an honorable mention for Freshman All-American by College Football News.
Bell took a step back in production during the 2023 season.
Bell took a step back in production during his redshirt sophomore season because Will Pauling took over in the slot, and Bell struggled with drops this season, leading the team with seven. Bell finished the season with 38 receptions for 296 yards and one touchdown.
Here’s why Skyler Bell transferring will impact the Badgers offense.
Skyler Bell entering the transfer portal will negatively impact the Badgers offense because of the experience he had with the team. He was the second-leading receiver during the 2022 season, and had the second-most receptions and the fourth-most receiving yards on the team despite backing up Pauling this season.
Another reason why him transferring will negatively impact the offense is that Chimere Dike also entered the transfer portal. Dike led the team in receiving last year and was the third-leading receiver this season. Not only do they lose one rotational receiver, they are losing a top-three receiver.
Finally, the last reason why him transferring will negatively impact the offense because the team loved him. Losing a teammate that you love playing with is never good.
What now for Skyler Bell?
The future for Skyler Bell is uncertain at this point. We don’t know for sure what team he will transfer to and whether he will start next season.
Skyler Bell had a solid season as a wide receiver on the Wisconsin Badgers, and hoping he will have a successful collegiate career elsewhere
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