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Which CT stars will be chosen in NFL Draft? UConn’s Skyler Bell leads state hopefuls
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- Which CT stars will be chosen in NFL Draft? UConn’s Skyler Bell leads state hopefuls
The day has arrived for Skyler Bell, the day he anticipated when he left the Bronx to play at Taft School in Watertown, and later when he took a leap of faith and left Wisconsin to play at UConn .
The NFL Draft begins Thursday night in Pittsburgh and Bell's name is well-represented on mock drafts and team-specific websites. A lot of teams need wide receivers, several in fact, and Bell offers skills that could translate into yards and points right away.
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"Reliable, consistent, productive," ESPN Draft Analyst Mel Kiper Jr., said, in listing Bell as one of his "sleepers' on a recent program. "He will play in the NFL and he will contribute to an NFL offense in his first year."
How UConn's Joe Fagnano, Skyler Bell fared at NFL Combine
Bell was one of several receivers vying to be targeted at Wisconsin. He transferred to UConn to be the No. 1 target, and he left money in the transfer portal to stay in Connecticut for a second season. Not only was he a productive FBS receiver, catching 151 passes in two years and scoring 13 TDs in 2025, he showed an explosiveness and knowledge of the game that got noticed by the right people. Last season, he was among the top receivers in FBS in yards after the catch (1,325, second) and average YAC (8.2, fourth). And he showed a knack for clutch catches. At 23, to turn 24 during training camp, Bell is a player in which teams know what they are getting.
Invited to the scouting combine, Bell ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, with a 41-inch vertical leap and 11 foot, 1-inch broad jump, athletic measurables combined with on-field production that vault him into the third or fourth round on most mock drafts. Kiper has him 85th on his list of top prospects, 13th among wide receivers. Other mock drafts have him as high as late in the second round, in the 60s.
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Here's a look at the state's draft prospects:
Joe Fagnano
At UConn, Bell formed a potent combination with quarterback Joe Fagnano, who blossomed in his sixth and seventh years of college football. Similarly, the amount of game action he has seen and put on film gives teams a clear picture of Fagnano, who had a visit with the Patriots this past week, as a quarterback who could make a roster. After throwing for 3,448 yards and 28 touchdowns, with only one interception, he's projected by many to go on Day 3, in the sixth or seventh round, or a high-priority free agent. (It may better for him, to sign with a team of his choosing).
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Bryun Parham
The active UConn linebacker was in on 126 tackles last season, with three forced fumbles and an interception. He could be an interesting late pick or undrafted free agent and stick as a special teams player.
Chris Freeman
The UConn kicker, a transfer from Indiana, showed a strong leg, including a 65-yard field goal on the Huskies' Pro Day, a knack for clutch kicking, like a last-second game-tying field goal at Syracuse and a game-winner at Buffalo, and the ability to kick in less-than-ideal conditions, with his 49-yarder on an icy field at the Fenway Bowl. Seems like a kicker the NFL would want to consider.
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Josh Pitsenberger
Yale 's captain and star running back carried his power and speed out of the Ivy League and into the FCS playoffs. He could be a player for a team that utilizes a fullback or has a willingness to experiment with a pure football player.
Dathan Hickey
A Bristol Central grad, Hickey had a solid career at safety for Yale before being derailed by injuries. He transferred to Youngstown State and impressed, earning a Shrine Bowl invitation, perhaps enough to rekindle his NFL dreams.
Brady Olsen
CCSU's quarterback, similar to Fagnano, has a lot of playing experience and has won a lot of games as Central reached the FCS playoffs two years in a row. He has the size (6-4, 200) and arm strength (3,125 yards, 35 TDs, seven interceptions) to warrant a look.
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Elijah Howard
With nearly 3,000 rushing yards i n three seasons at Central, Howard (5-11, 176 pounds) would be hard to beat in terms of productivity. Could certainly be worth a look as a kick returner.
Payton Rhodes
Sacred Heart wide receiver (22 catches, 218 yards) drew some attention at the College Gridiron Showcase and at UConn's Pro Day.
