Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics
Bell and Lacy Earn Phil Steele All-American Accolades
January 05, 2026 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell and punt returner Caullin Lacy were named fourth-team All-Americans by Phil Steele, the magazine announced Monday.
Both Cardinals were also selected as first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorees by the publication.
Bell led the Cardinals in receiving, posting career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. The senior caught 72 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games before a season-ending injury. He recorded three 100-yard performances, highlighted by a career-high 12 catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns against Virginia, along with 10 receptions for 135 yards and a score versus Pittsburgh.
A native of Yazoo City, Miss., Bell ranked fourth in the ACC in receptions and touchdown catches and finished fifth in receiving yards.
Lacy ranked fourth nationally in punt return average at 18.16 yards per return and was one of five players nationwide to record multiple punt return touchdowns. He became the first player in program history to notch two punt return touchdowns of 75 yards or more in a single season. As a receiver, Lacy totaled 60 receptions for 635 yards and two touchdowns.
Louisville also earned several additional all-conference honors. Defensive tackle Rene Konga, linebacker TJ Quinn, and placekicker Cooper Ranvier were named to the second team.
Third-team honors went to running back Isaac Brown, offensive lineman Lance Robinson, and linebacker Antonio Watts, while defensive back Tayon Holloway, defensive lineman Clev Lubin, and center Pete Nygra were selected to the fourth team.
Both Cardinals were also selected as first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorees by the publication.
Bell led the Cardinals in receiving, posting career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. The senior caught 72 passes for 917 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games before a season-ending injury. He recorded three 100-yard performances, highlighted by a career-high 12 catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns against Virginia, along with 10 receptions for 135 yards and a score versus Pittsburgh.
A native of Yazoo City, Miss., Bell ranked fourth in the ACC in receptions and touchdown catches and finished fifth in receiving yards.
Lacy ranked fourth nationally in punt return average at 18.16 yards per return and was one of five players nationwide to record multiple punt return touchdowns. He became the first player in program history to notch two punt return touchdowns of 75 yards or more in a single season. As a receiver, Lacy totaled 60 receptions for 635 yards and two touchdowns.
Louisville also earned several additional all-conference honors. Defensive tackle Rene Konga, linebacker TJ Quinn, and placekicker Cooper Ranvier were named to the second team.
Third-team honors went to running back Isaac Brown, offensive lineman Lance Robinson, and linebacker Antonio Watts, while defensive back Tayon Holloway, defensive lineman Clev Lubin, and center Pete Nygra were selected to the fourth team.
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
RB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
OL
/ Football
K
/ Football
OL
/ Football
LB
/ FootballThe Card Tape: Boca Raton Bowl
Friday, December 26
FB: Bush's Boca Raton Bowl Postgame Press Conference
Wednesday, December 24
FB: Highlights vs. Kentucky
Sunday, November 30
The Card Tape: Virginia Tech
Monday, November 03
