A physical Louisville wide receiver whose breakout senior season and third-round selection were interrupted by a torn ACL.
Chris Bell established himself as one of college football's most physical playmakers at Louisville, capping his career with a career-best senior season before a torn ACL cut it short. The Miami Dolphins made him the highest wide receiver drafted out of Louisville since 2021 when they selected him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Path to the league
Bell, born in Yazoo City, Mississippi and a graduate of Greenville Christian School, played four seasons at Louisville from 2022 to 2025. The Miami Dolphins selected him with the 94th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the highest a Louisville wide receiver had been drafted since Tutu Atwell went in the second round to the Rams in 2021.
Career highlights
Bell's production climbed every season at Louisville, growing from 105 receiving yards as a freshman to a career-best 917 yards as a senior. He earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2025 and was recognized as East-West Shrine Bowl Offensive Player of the Week, establishing himself as one of the ACC's most physical receivers.
2025 season recap
Bell caught 72 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns in 11 appearances in 2025, including three 100-yard games and a career-best 12-catch, 170-yard effort in an overtime loss to Virginia. His season ended on November 22 when he suffered a torn ACL against SMU, and he entered the NFL still working his way back from that injury after Miami drafted him in the third round.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Chris Bell (wide receiver)
- Louisville Athletics: Chris Bell Selected in the Third Round by the Miami Dolphins
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Wide Receiver
- Group
- offense
- College
- Louisville
- Hometown
- Yazoo City, MS, USA
- Age
- 22
- Status
- active
