INDIANAPOLIS — If you scour NFL Mock Drafts published by analysts, Vonn Bell's name is typically the first one you see on the board at safety.
Bell has range, is a solid tackler and possesses a tremendous ability to make plays — a portion of his game he isn't shy to express.
"I'm a fiery guy, show passion and energy," Bell said Saturday. "Want to be a spark on the team. A playmaker."
Bell recorded the second-most tackles on Ohio State's national title team in 2014 (92) and led the team in interceptions over the last two seasons with eight, but said in his media session at the NFL Combine he at times lacked attentiveness against the run.
"My run defense, it was kind of lazy in college with what I saw on film," Bell said. "It just happens, man. Being a young guy. Thinking the world of it. It just happens. It'll get all fixed soon."
Will it? Using the word lazy during a job interview isn't necessarily the wisest thing to do. Bell said scouts aren't letting that part of his game go unnoticed this week in Indianapolis during meetings, but his teammates think just as highly of him as ever.
"Vonn Bell probably has the best range out of anybody in the draft," Bell's secondary teammate at Ohio State Eli Apple said. "He's a sure tackler, he's a great open field tackler and he's very smart. He can read offenses and see what they're going to do."
Perhaps that is why Bell saw his effort drop during rush plays at Ohio State when he turned on the tape. Maybe it's because he felt confident the nine guys in front of him would get the job done, which they often did.
Bell is as confident as they come, which is essential for his position. He did, however, admit former Ohio State safeties coach Chris Ash was on him often if he took a play or two off.
Above all, Bell just feels his run support could have been better in Columbus. How will he amend it? With more emotion.
"You gotta show your passion and energy for the game, your love for the game," Bell said. "It's just not being paid now, you gotta show your passion and energy for your team. Because those guys are on your team, they don't want this guy taking plays off and saying 'Why should I go hard for him?'"
Bell was an instrumental part of Ohio State's defensive resurgence alongside Ash and defensive coordinator Luke Fickell. He could sneak into the first round of the draft if a team feels it has a need at safety. He is arguably the best available prospect at the position.
He said learning humility was a crucial part of his maturation process at Ohio State under Urban Meyer, likening it to some of the "growing pains" any player endures when they make the jump from high school to college.
Bell believes he is the total package at safety and scouts could certainly think the same thing — but his comments on his laziness during some run plays will raise some eyebrows. But Bell believes things will be different at the next level.
"Gotta be more passion," Bell said when asked what the difference was between then and now. "Guys are playing for their livelihood. You gotta be more passionate. You don't want to be out on the streets."
