Ohio State Safety Vonn Bell Opts to Forgo Final Year of Eligibility, Declares for 2016 NFL Draft

By Eric Seger on January 5, 2016 at 7:13 pm
Vonn Bell declared for the 2016 NFL Draft.
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Vonn Bell spoke recently about the list of goals his set out to achieve at Ohio State, among them winning a national championship, becoming an All-American and making it to the NFL.

Tuesday, Bell decided to make that last dream become a reality. The All-American safety declared for the 2016 NFL Draft, the school announced in a press release.

"I have decided to make myself eligible and enter the 2016 NFL Draft,” Bell said in the release. "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. My time here has been very special to me and my family. And I thank all Buckeye fans for their love and support." 

A junior originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee, before going to high school in Rossville, Georgia, Bell finishes his illustrious Buckeye career with 176 total tackles, nine interceptions, one he returned for a touchdown, and a fumble return for a touchdown.

In his final year in the scarlet and gray, Bell tallied 65 tackles, with his final two coming in Ohio State's 44-28 victory against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

Bell is the ninth Buckeye to leave eligibility on the table at Ohio State and enter the draft early. He joins running back Ezekiel Elliott, quarterback Cardale Jones, fellow safety Tyvis Powell, wide receivers Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall, defensive end Joey Bosa, cornerback Eli Apple and linebacker Darron Lee.

Bell is a projected second round pick by CBSsports.com analyst Dane Brugler. The draft convenes April 28 in Chicago.

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