UConn’s notable passing duo, quarterback Joe Fagnano and wide receiver Skyler Bell, participated in the NFL Combine this week in Indianapolis to display their talents in front of scouts, coaches, and team executives from all 32 NFL franchises. The event, concluding on Monday, represents a crucial opportunity for these players to boost their draft stock ahead of the NFL Draft in April by demonstrating their physical abilities and football intelligence. The performances of these UConn prospects at the combine have renewed interest in the program’s ability to develop NFL-level talent.
UConn’s Return to National Spotlight Through NFL Prospect Success
Skyler Bell expressed the significance of their presence at the combine for the UConn football program.
“Huge, man. Can’t remember the last time we had a skill player at the combine other than Byron Jones,”
Bell said on Friday.
“Being back here puts UConn on the national stage, brings more eyes on us, will lead to success in the future.”
Byron Jones’s 2015 combine performance remains a high bar for UConn prospects, as he made headlines with a record-setting broad jump, which helped propel him into the NFL’s first round and a lengthy career as a cornerback. Since Jones’s time, UConn has produced top NFL draft picks mostly in the offensive line, marking Fagnano and Bell’s appearance as an encouraging shift in the program’s national relevance at skill positions.
Joe Fagnano’s Inspiring College Journey and NFL Aspirations
Joe Fagnano, 25, has attracted national attention following his breakthrough season in 2025, his seventh year in college football. His partnership with Bell has been a critical factor in UConn’s offensive success.
“Credit to him, he deserves to be here,”
Fagnano acknowledged.
“He’s a heck of a football player. Being able to work with him the last two years elevated my game.”
Fagnano’s path to the NFL has been unconventional. After receiving few offers out of high school, he initially played at Maine, an FCS school, before transferring to UConn. His time included overcoming a season-ending shoulder injury and battling for the starting quarterback role, which he finally secured in mid-2024. His journey has been marked by perseverance and growth, demonstrated by his impressive 69 percent completion rate in 2025, throwing for 3,448 yards and 28 touchdowns against only one interception.
Reflecting on his challenges, Fagnano shared,
“I don’t know how many people know my story, but I don’t think there’s a lot of people who would go through the journey I’ve gone through to be here. I think it just speaks volumes. The bumps in the road have gotten me where I am, made me who I am.”
Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 226 pounds, Fagnano brings a mature presence along with measurable athletic traits. At the combine, his hand size measured 10 inches, and his arm length was 31 3/8 inches. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.83 seconds with a 1.67-second split for the first 10 yards, and recorded a 35-inch vertical leap and a broad jump near 9 feet 10 inches. Those numbers underscore his adequate athleticism combined with a veteran’s poise.
Expert analysis praised Fagnano’s experience, though critics pointed to average arm strength and occasional accuracy issues. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein described him as a
“ball-distributing pocket passer with an average arm and inconsistent accuracy,”
but highlighted his command of the offense and production as worthy of further evaluation. Fagnano emerged ranked 12th among quarterbacks at the Indianapolis combine, with a score of 70, placing him in the late draft pick or undrafted free agent range.
Fagnano’s leadership mindset remains strong despite the challenges ahead.
“(I’m) somebody that can still be a leader in that role even though there might be somebody ahead of you and it’s his offense at that time,”
he explained.
“Somebody who doesn’t let circumstances dictate how they work, it doesn’t change your preparation whether first, second, third string.”
Skyler Bell’s Breakout Season and Combine Metrics Highlight Potential
Skyler Bell’s collegiate career began at Wisconsin before transferring to UConn to become a primary receiving target. His performance peaked last season when he caught 101 passes for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning All-American honors and becoming a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award.
Though known for clutch catches and breaking tackles, Bell’s combine results provide insight into his raw athleticism, essential for NFL evaluations. Detailing his workout stats, Bell recorded a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, with a 10-yard split of 1.53 seconds. He demonstrated explosive lower-body power with a 41-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 11 feet 1 inch. These figures contributed to his athleticism score of 83, ranking seventh among wide receivers at the event. Bell’s scouting report gave him a grade of 6.25, aligning with an NFL starter’s profile.
Given these impressive displays, Bell is projected to be selected in the second to fourth rounds of the NFL Draft. Speaking on his inspirations, he said,
“I model my game after guys like Ja’Marr Chase, Stefon Diggs, Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Those guys can do a lot after the catch, create separation, contested catches. They model my game a little bit, same size.”
At 6 feet tall and 192 pounds, with 10-inch hands and 31 1/8 inch arms, Bell excels at turning short receptions into significant yardage.
“I just try to let my tapes do the talking,”
he said.
“I can take a short pass and take it the distance.”
During his combine interview, Bell noted meetings with several NFL teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, and Buffalo Bills, indicating strong league interest. Despite some injury setbacks keeping him out of post-season all-star game action, Bell remains highly regarded for his speed, agility, and catching ability.
Lance Zierlein wrote about Bell’s potential, stating,
“Bell is an inside-outside target with adequate size and field-stretching speed. He has the tools to beat press quickly and the acceleration/cut quickness to open clean windows. The TDs left on the field due to underthrown passes at UConn will turn into NFL touchdowns with an accurate passer. Bell’s speed and upside should make him a productive starter.”
Additional UConn Talent and Post-Combine Prospects
Beyond Fagnano and Bell, former UConn tight end Justin Joly also impressed at the combine. Joly, who spent his final two collegiate seasons at NC State, earned a scouting grade of 6.16, which suggests he has the potential to be an NFL starter as well.
Significance of UConn’s Combine Representation for the Program’s Future
The presence of these UConn players at the NFL Combine signals a strong return for the program on the professional football stage. This exposure not only helps individual players like Joe Fagnano and Skyler Bell as they strive for NFL careers but also increases the visibility of UConn football nationally. Their performances can attract more recruits and build a pipeline for future athletes aiming to make the leap to the NFL.
With the NFL Draft just months away, the evaluations and interviews conducted over the combine will heavily influence team decisions. Joe Fagnano’s experience and leadership may appeal to teams seeking a disciplined quarterback presence, while Bell’s explosiveness and catching abilities position him well to contribute early at the professional level. Their combined success may inspire greater confidence in UConn’s development capabilities, potentially enhancing the program’s long-term prospects.
