Bell starts, contributes in Team Nitro win

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Ridgeland High School's Vonn Bell has the ball.

Ridgeland High School seniors Vonn Bell started at safety for Team Highlight, which beat Team Nitro 16-3 in Friday's annual Under Armour All-American football showcase.

Bell had three pass breakups and two solo tackles but dropped what could have been a highlight pick-six early on.

"He was sick about the drop, but it would've been a great play," said Ridgeland coach Mark Mariakis, who accompanied Bell for the game in St. Petersburg, Fla. "The whole week, and especially the game, was a great experience for him."

Mariakis added that after the game Bell met with assistant coaches from all three of the schools he is considering: Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee.

While Bell won't decide among those schools until after he takes his official visit to each later this month, five players competing in Friday's game did make verbal pledges: Jackson, La., linebacker Kendell Beckwith committed to LSU over Alabama; New York City defensive end Ebenezer Ogundeko committed to Clemson over Florida and Syracuse; Lawrenceville, Ga., linebacker Trey Johnson chose Ohio State over Auburn; Mission Viejo, Calif., cornerback Max Redfield committed to Notre Dame over USC and Ohio State; and Seffner, Fla., safety Leon McQuay III committed to USC over Vanderbilt and Florida State.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.