Entering the 2025 season, Louisville football fans knew this team would be led by its stars. The Cardinals' offense had a lot of hype and potential built up around it, and a big reason was because of their star wide receiver, Chris Bell.
The preseason All-ACC wide receiver was being compared to AJ Brown before the season started. At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, Bell was labeled a game-changer by David Pollack, and through six games of the 2025 season, the star has been downright dominant.
Bell has taken the ACC by storm and has been one of the best players in college football. Now, after six games, Bell has himself in an excellent position for a prestigious award.
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Louisville football star emerging as top candidate for prestigious national award
The Fred Biletnikoff Award is given to the best wide receiver in college football that season. Last year, Travis Hunter won the award, and the year prior, Marvin Harrison Jr. won. Through eight weeks of football, the Cardinals' star receiver is being considered a legitimate option to win this award.
On3 Sports recently released their rankings for this award, and Bell is in an excellent position to win it. The star receiver enters Week 9 ranked No. 2 only behind USC's Makai Lemon.
NEW: On3 College Football Biletnikoff Poll⚡️
— On3 (@On3sports) October 21, 2025
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The two receivers are incredibly close when fans compare their stats, but Lemon currently has a slight edge over Bell. The USC receiver has logged 48 receptions for 758 receiving yards and six touchdowns, while Bell has 44 receptions for 638 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
However, despite Bell being slightly behind in these stats, the receiver has been dominant since ACC games started. In his last three games, he has recorded 31 catches for 441 yards and five touchdowns. He broke a career high in catches and yards against Virginia, where he logged 12 catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns, and then followed that up with another dominant performance against Miami's defense.
Bell ranks No. 8 in the nation in receiving yards, No. 13 in receiving touchdowns, and No. 15 in receptions. Following Miami's game, the entire country is discussing Bell and his dominance, and now he is finally receiving the recognition he deserves, making him a top candidate for this prestigious award.
Some important dates to remember for this award are November 10 through 16, when voting opens up for semifinalists, and on November 17, the semifinalists are announced. Voting for the three finalists will open on November 17 and will remain open until November 23. Then, on November 25, the three finalists are announced, and voting for the Fred Biletnikoff Award winner will be open from November 25 through December 6, with the winner being announced on December 12.
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For all the latest news and updates on Louisville football's 2025 season and recruiting, stay tuned.