David Bell Named Big Ten Receiver of the Year; 14 Purdue Players Earn All-Conference Honors

David Bell and George Karlaftis represent Purdue football as members of the All-Big Ten first team. In total, 14 players were recognized ahead of the postseason, and Bell was named the Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year.
David Bell Named Big Ten Receiver of the Year; 14 Purdue Players Earn All-Conference Honors
David Bell Named Big Ten Receiver of the Year; 14 Purdue Players Earn All-Conference Honors /

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — As Purdue football looks ahead to the postseason following an 8-4 record, several Boilermakers were recognized by the Big Ten. In total, 14 players from the program earned All-Conference recognition, including junior wide receiver David Bell, who was named the Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year. 

Bell, who was also named first team All-Big Ten, became the second Purdue wide receiver to win the award since Rondale Moore in 2018. He recorded 93 receptions, 1,286 yards and six touchdowns while appearing in 11 games for the Boilermakers this season. 

Bell is also one of three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award. He leads the Big Ten in catches per game (8.5) and receiving yards per game (116.9), while ranking second and fourth in the country, respectively.

Purdue junior defensive end George Karlaftis was also tabbed first team All-Big Ten. He collected 36 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles this season. 

Fifth-year senior quarterback Aidan O'Connell was the only Boilermaker named second team All-Big Ten, and 11 players earned honorable mention accolades. Junior tight end Payne Durham was the team's honoree for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. 

Below is every Purdue player who earned recognition from the Big Ten after the regular season: 

Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year

  • David Bell – WR 

First Team All-Big Ten

  • David Bell – WR
  • George Karlaftis – DL

Second Team All-Big Ten

  • Aidan O'Connell – QB

Big Ten Honorable Mention

  • Jaylan Alexander – LB
  • Cam Allen – S
  • Branson Deen – DT
  • Payne Durham – TE
  • Mitchell Fineran – K
  • Jalen Graham – LB/S
  • Gus Hartwig – OL
  • Greg Long – OL
  • Dedrick Mackey – CB
  • Tyler Witt – OL
  • Milton Wright – WR

Big Ten Sportsmanship Award

  • Payne Durham – TE

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D.J. Fezler
D.J. FEZLER

D.J. Fezler is a staff writer for BoilermakersCountry.com. Hailing from The Region, he is from Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana and has spent the last two years covering Purdue football and basketball.