Time to talk about Chris Bell like he's one of the best receivers in the ACC
It might seem like Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell is in his own world.
He is on an island for most of the Cardinals’ games, playing split wide outside the numbers. The defensive back opposite him, staring him down, is typically the only thing in his field of vision.
This rep was like any other, except the Cards, down 10, needed a play on third and nine. Bell lined up opposite of Pittsburgh’s best corner, sixth-year senior Rashad Battle, and took off.
He dug his cleats into the grass, turning around after 11 or 12 yards. It was a comeback route towards the Louisville sideline. Except this time, Miller Moss’s throw was late, and it was Bell who had the wherewithal to fight through the play, turn into a defensive back, and knock the ball out of Battle’s hands. Batting it in the air, Bell collected himself and made the play while fighting for a first down and extra yardage.
Bell might not be in his own world after all, and he’s arguably improved more than any skill position player on the roster this fall. But, he’s not getting that credit.
Being able to keep Bell on the roster was one of the major wins of Louisville’s offseason. Plus, after a 2024 season where the 6-foot-2, 220-pound wideout grabbed 43 balls for 737 yards and four touchdowns — all were career bests at the time.
In Louisville’s 34-27 ACC opening win at Pitt last Saturday, Bell quietly put the passing game on his back and had a career high in receptions (10) and yards (135) in a single game.
Bell was impressive against the Panthers’ press-man coverage and dominated outside the numbers. He’s great over the middle of the field and is physical enough to execute comeback routes around the first down marker. His 64-yard catch and run against JMU has been one of the biggest splash plays of the season, and for good reason, as he hit a top speed of 22 miles per hour on the play.
“Well, he did step up and he showed toughness, and he showed stamina, he played hard to the end,” head coach Jeff Brohm said earlier this week.
“He definitely stepped up and made a ton of plays for us…He definitely made some strong catches, he has a strong body, he can body them off and bring the pass in, then he can get yards after the catch.”
His combination of strength and speed is rare for a collegiate receiver, and he plays with a level of physicality that could be equated to the Eagles’ AJ Brown. Bell’s hands are strong, and his consistency is underrated. He’ll still suffer from the occasional drop, but at the end of the day, he’s Moss’s most trustworthy target. Bell is excellent coming back to the ball through contact, but also has the straight-line speed to create explosive plays. That’s the skillset that has several NFL scouts attention caught by Bell.
The senior has been excellent on the early downs, with 194 of his 332 yards this season coming on first down. Both of his touchdowns have come on first down as well. Seventy-two percent of Bell’s yards this season have come with Louisville is tied or trailing, so he’s clearly emerged as a consistent and steady piece in the offense.
Any Louisville fan also knows that Bell plays with some swagger and a chip on his shoulder. He thinks he’s the best on the field at any time. Sometimes that competitive edge is needed, and Bell’s gives the Louisville offense an extra poker chip.
The Yazoo City, Mississippi, native could have walked out the door in the offseason with heavy interest from several SEC programs, but had been slotted as the Cardinals’ No. 1 wide receiver ever since Ja’Corey Brooks played his last game in a Louisville uniform. Bell stuck with Brohm and the Cardinals and is now getting his chance to be the lead pass catcher in the U of L offense.
Even so. Bell is on pace for a better season than Brooks had in the red and black over the course of 12 games last season. Brooks was second in the ACC in both touchdowns (9) and yards (1,013).
Bell’s well on the way to having a 1,000-plus yard and First Team All-ACC season, but he might just be scratching the surface of his potential, and against No. 24 Virginia this Saturday, he has the chance to have another monster performance.
