Vonn Bell’s face lit up and his trademark smile flashed across his face when he was asked the question. A year after missing all of spring practice, being able to participate this year was such a relief.
“It’s been a blessing,” Bell said Thursday following Ohio State’s seventh practice of the spring. “What happened last year, I had surgery on the first day, tore my MCL so it’s just a blessing to be out here with the guys and not sitting back, doing nothing.”
Bell missed all of spring ball last year when he suffered a knee injury in the early going. It temporarily stopped all of the momentum he had built after a strong performance in the Orange Bowl as he was ready to take over full-time duties at safety as a sophomore.
Sitting on the sidelines wasn’t easy back then. Bell likes it better when he’s out on the field.
“It’s a really good fundamental process for me,” Bell said. “Just to be out here and work on leadership with the young guys and just teach them the way.”
In his first season as a full-time starter, Bell emerged as one of Ohio State’s top playmakers as the Buckeyes went on an incredible run to a national championship. He led the team in interceptions (six) and was second in tackles (92). Bell also had the knack for making the big play, too. The turnovers he forced were often timely. His interception of Blake Sims in the Sugar Bowl was a prime example.
“It’s just a blessing to be out here with the guys and not sitting back, doing nothing.”– Vonn Bell
But Bell didn’t have a great start to the 2014 season, according to co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Chris Ash. That, in part, could be traced back to his absence in spring ball.
“He didn’t get going last year until probably about game four or five. It was a slow start for him, he didn’t even start the first game last year,” Ash said. “He just kept getting better and better and better and hopefully we’re gonna — by him being out here this spring hopefully avoid that slow start.”
Already one of Ohio State’s most dynamic players on defense, a full spring can do nothing but help Bell when it comes to the 2015 season. Ash described him as “one of the best tacklers I’ve ever been around” and his knack for making game-changing plays is evident from just watching him play.
There’s still some things for him to work on, though. “Just trying to improve his knowledge of the game and offenses in general,” Ash said.
The spring is a time to work on such things. Bell is thankful he has that opportunity this year as opposed to last.
“I’m really enhancing my craft now, working on my fundamentals, technique,” he said. “Just working on the little things that I can get better on, my weaknesses.”
