Vonn Bell

A two-year starter at safety, Bell lined up mostly as a single-high and nickel safety in Ohio State's secondary and emerged as a defensive playmaker for the Buckeyes during the team's national title run in 2014. He played mostly man coverage the last two years and held his own on an island, showing athleticism, timing and savvy that translates well to the next level (Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer on Bell: "I've been lucky to have been around a lot of good safeties and he's as good as I've ever had.").

bell plays with the requisite mental and physical toughness and is active in run support, but needs to improve his tackling mechanics. although not a twitchy athlete, he is a decisive reactor and collects himself well in space, projecting as an nfl starter at safety or nickel.

COMPARES TO

not distracted by eye candy in the backfield, seeing things quickly with the reactive movements to plant, gather and go. keeps his weight on the balls of his feet in coverage to stay within arm's reach of the receiver. reliable ball-skills and timing at the catch point and won't cheat his team if he can make a play on the ball.

Not a power player, but plays with the toughness to take on blocks and attack as a run defender. Leads with his head/shoulder as a striker and generally gets his man on the ground. Productive as a starter with 22 passes defended and nine interceptions over 28 starts.

adequate body type and length for the position, but not an intimidating physical presence. needs to improve his technique as a run defender with more ankle-biting tackles than you want to see on film.

Inconsistent breaking down in space with a bad habit of waiting on the ballcarrier and playing on his heels, causing him to be run over at the contact point. Anticipates well on some snaps, but then late to recognize the play design on others. Can get turned around in coverage and struggles to locate or make plays on the ball once his back is turned to the line of scrimmage.

bell has the hips and footwork to shadow receivers, and that versatility is why he was so valuable to the ohio state defense (and what makes him such an attractive nfl prospect).

WEAKNESSES

not a playmaker after the interception, averaging 5.4 yards per return. left knee sprain kept him out of 2014 spring practice, which required surgery to repair his mcl.

IN OUR VIEW

tashaun gipson, cleveland browns - the ability to hold up on an island in both man and zone coverages, bell plays with a decisive reactor and collects himself well in space to make plays, drawing similarities to the browns opportunistic safety.

--Dane Brugler (2/10/16)

strengths

Good-sized athlete to match up well with receivers. Coordinated athlete with smooth lower-body quickness and hip action to transition with little wasted movement. Drive burst and pursuit speed to close well.

2014: Underwent surgery to repair a torn MCL, missing spring practice.

An exclamation point on Ohio State's Class of 2013, Under Armour All-American Vonn Bell announced on National Letter of Intent signing day that he would be a Buckeye

a five-star prospect by Rivals, Scout and 247Sports, Bell was one of the top 30 players in the nation with overall rankings of No. 25 by Scout, No. 29 by 247Sports and No. 32 by Rivals. No. 50 on the ESPN 150

the No. 4 player in the state of Georgia as a senior, Bell was also ranked as high as the No. 3 safety prospect nationally by Scout

helped his Ridgeland team, coached by Mark Mariakis, to a 13-2 record and a runner-up finish in the Georgia Class AAAA state championships

Bell had 146 tackles and three interceptions as a senior, and on offense he had over 1,700 all-purpose yards and scored 21 touchdowns

helped Ridgeland to the state Sweet 16 in 2011 as a junior with 119 tackles, five interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Son of Vanessa and Vencent Bell

father played collegiately at Murray State University.

2015

interceptions
TD	AVG	YDS	INT
1.0	8.0	16.0	2.0