Ridgeland All-American Vonn Bell announces that he will attend The Ohio State University as head coach Mark Mariakis looks on
photo by Wes Schultz
Ridgeland teammates Gannon Hampton (left) and Darrell Bridges on signing day
photo by Wes Schultz
It’s Ohio State !!
The long wait is over as at 10:08 a.m. today Ridgeland HS All-American safety/wide receiver Vonn Bell announced that he has committed to play football at Ohio State; The 6-0 190-pound safety/wide receiver chose the Buckeyes over Alabama and Tennessee.
In two years at the north Georgia school, Bell scored 31 touchdowns and led the Panthers to a region title and a state runner-up finish this past season.
"I appreciate all the schools who showed an interest in me during the recruiting process and am thankful for all the help my teammates and coaches have given me during my high school career," said Bell.
"I look forward to attending The Ohio State University as coach Urban Meyer has been a winner wherever he has been."
The two-time all-state safety/wide receiver earned 2012 Walker County player of the year honors by the Walker County Messenger and was also selected as the 2012 state 4A defensive player of the year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Bell is one of three Ridgeland players who signed college scholarships today joining teammates Darrell Bridges who signed with Presbyterian College and Gannon Hampton who signed with Carson-Newman.
* Vonn Bell ... wide receiver/safety ... Ohio State ... All-American ... two-time all-state ... Georgia 4A defensive player of the year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution ...
"I really developed a good relationship with defensive coordinator Everett Withers and that was the main factor in my decision to sign with Ohio State," said Bell. "I will focus on defense, but I might get to play some on offense as well."
* Darrell Bridges ... running back ... Presbyterian College ... all-state ... 2,300 career rushing yards
"I look forward to competing for the starting spot at running back and know that the coaches want a back who can block and protect the quarterback. For those major football schools who did not recruit me I want to them to remember me during the next four years when we playe them."
Presbyterian opens the 2013 season at Wake Forest.
* Gannon Hampton ... lineman ... Carson-Newman College ... all-state ... graded out at 94% for 15 games.
"I am looking forward to competing for the starting center position in the fall," said Hampton. "The starting center from this past season graduated so I believe I have a good opportunity to start as a freshman."
contact B.B. Branton at William.branton@comcast.net