LOOKING BACK
The Times Free Press looks back at the careers of the area’s 10 most notable football signees from the local 2013 high school graduating class.
– Vonn Bell, Ridgeland, DB, Ohio State: He earned 5-star recruit status from 247Sports, Rivals and Scout and 4-star by ESPN. Ohio State eventually won the high-stakes bidding war for his services. As a freshman he played in all 14 of the Buckeyes’ games, primarily as a reserve nickel back, then started at safety each of the next two years. During his sophomore year he made six of his nine career interceptions, including one against Wisconsin in the Big 10 title game and one against No. 1-ranked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl national semifinal on the way to a championship season. As a junior, a season in which he had two defensive TDs, he was selected a first-team All-American by the Associated Press, the Sporting News and SI.com. Picked by New Orleans in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Bell started 14 games as a rookie for the Saints and had 61 solo tackles, four pass-breakups, a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
UTC linebacker Dale Warren tackles Presbyterian running back Darrell Bridges during the Mocs’ home football game against Presbyterian at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.– Darrell Bridges, Ridgeland, RB, Presbyterian: He was not rated by most services, but 247Sports had him as a 3-star recruit. He began making an impact for the Blue Hose as a redshirt freshman, gaining 417 all-purpose yards. The next year he became the first 1,000-yard rusher since Presbyterian moved to NCAA Division I when he totaled 1,065, scored eight TDs and earned a spot on the All-Big South Conference first team. He ran for 721 yards last year, including 18 carries for 89 yards at Finley Stadium against the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He has one year of eligibility left.
– Demetric Johnson, South Pittsburg, RB, Murray State: Not highly-regarded by the recruiting services, he still found an NCAA Division I offer. He redshirted in 2013, then has since played in 33 games for the Racers. His primary contribution his first two years on the field was being in on 29 tackles, with 21 of them solos. Last season he got to handle the ball and produced 31 receptions for 388 yards with 3 TDs and added 279 rushing and another TD. He also returned six kickoffs for 127 yards. He has one season of eligibility remaining.