Ohio State’s exodus of underclassmen making themselves eligible for the NFL draft includes safety Vonn Bell.
The former Ridgeland High School standout announced Tuesday night that he would be forgoing his senior season. Bell packed a lot into his three years with the Buckeyes, making an acrobatic interception as a freshman against Clemson in the Orange Bowl, helping win the national championship as a sophomore and earning All-America honors as a junior.
Ohio State ended a 12-1 season last Friday with a 44-28 victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to play at the best university in the country, to play for the best coach in the country, and to help bring the 2014 national championship to The Ohio State University and the best fans in the country,” Bell said in a statement released by the university. “My time here has been very special to me and my family, and I thank all Buckeye fans for their love and support.”
CBS projects the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Bell as the No. 2 strong safety in the 2016 draft and the No. 50 prospect overall.
He is among nine Buckeyes who have declared for the draft, a list that includes quarterback Cardale Jones, running back Ezekiel Elliott and defensive end Joey Bosa, whom many analysts peg as the top overall pick. Receiver Michael Thomas, who had 110 receptions for 1,580 yards the past two seasons, became the eighth Buckeyes player to declare Tuesday afternoon.
“I’d rather be in this situation than have a bunch of not-very-good players,” Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer told reporters last week.
Rated the No. 27 overall prospect by 247Sports.com and the No. 32 prospect by Rivals.com in the 2013 signing class, Bell wound up with 176 tackles and nine interceptions as a Buckeye. He was named a 2015 All-American by Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News and The Associated Press.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.