KNOXVILLE — The long recruiting process may be nearing an end for Vonn Bell, but the Ridgeland High School safety now enters the hardest part of his college decision.
Bell took his official visit to Tennessee this weekend, his third such trip in as many weeks after visiting Alabama last weekend and Ohio State the weekend of Jan. 12.
In a text message to the Times Free Press late Sunday night, Bell said he had a “great visit” to Knoxville in which he spent time with new Vols coach Butch Jones and his staff and attended Tennessee's basketball game on Saturday.
“It was a good weekend in Knoxville,” Bell said. “Opened a lot of eyes and [made] more discussion points … Just being around Coach [Butch] Jones and all the coaching staff you feel positive energy. Walking in [Thompson-Boling] arena you feel the fan love and the excitement there looking forward to the next season and see what Coach Jones brings.”
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Comments » 65
FLORIDAGATORHATER writes:
"Opened my eyes and made more discussion points." He's going to Ohio State. This is just lip service.
Rumblefish writes:
Has any recruit made an official visit and publically stated "That place sucked. The coaches are dumb. I'm never going there. Worst visit ever"???? NO.
Like GATORHATOR said...this is just lip service.
Nice to see Jones going after a 5* though.
Shake_Bake writes:
You just never know about these young men! Hard to read what they are thinking sometimes. I just hope we get at least ONE big time player in this class. Bell, Ford, Lawson...someone!
FearTheVols1252 writes:
Rumor has it that the Buckeyes may have lost some ground with Bell since his official visit earlier this month. However, these kids have always shown to be pretty unpredictable, so who knows...
manning_berry_special_player1614 writes:
bell is from my home town...watched him play..not only is he good on the field he is a great kid also...shook his hand told him that i would love to see him in orange...what a great player we would get if he does choose the BIG ORANGE..... some of his friends said they dont know what it would take to keep him out of the orange...lets hope he found nothing... WE NEED VONN BELL at TENNESSEE......BABY....but ill watch and support him in any school he chooses and wish him the best
rtrchatt writes:
Someone...too funny. The better thought is can we find 25 that want to play at UT?
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
UT or Bama it's a coin flip..Now it depends on how fast he wants to play..GBO!!
PUL4VOLS writes:
Would love for him to ring the Orange and White Bell on the 6th. Who knows, he might. Whatever occurs, we can rest assured this coaching staff is attempting to get the top notch prospects and that is a step forward. The next one will be the task of coaching up players we already have. Many of us wonder how this first year will go. I am hoping for the best and to see an improved team. Depending on how much help comes in from this year's recruiting class, it could be very exciting! GO BIG ORANGE!
CoverOrange writes:
Wherever, just not Bama.
Snapshot writes:
The better thought is why are you on here? Go back to drooling over your Nick Saban poster.
Pompey writes:
....Mike Hamilton was allowed to cut a wide swath of disctruction through UT's athletic department laying waste to several major sports. It will be several years to come before UT will be back in the major college sports conversation....I do not envy Butch Jones!
VolGrad writes:
Tentative Spring practice dates: http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-foot...
Hoping Vonn will be a participant!
Go Vols!
usafvol writes:
Hey trailor park; don't you have a relative to accost?
usafvol writes:
I think that both high school coaches and players are aware that neither Hamilton or Dooley are at UT anymore so I really don't see how that is an issue.
VolGrad writes:
Sorry, just a little anxious. Even if he commits to us, he won't be here until the summer.
kevininaugustageorgia writes:
You are just, just....mean! And, we are not your friend anymore.
If we were not smart enough to know better, we may think you are just trying to stir up trouble here.
So, until you can play nice and frame your comments in a more positive way, we will not play with you anymore....Meanie!
voloffaith writes:
'Scuse me! What is this " we" business? Elephant fan taint a VOL fan fo sure....
On topic, great if young master Bell comes aboard with the VOLS. However, if he chooses elsewhere I still wish him great success as long as it doesn't occur against UT.
RollTideJoe writes:
Bama might not have space for him.
VolGrad writes:
Current recruiting news: http://footballtime.com/1847/the-stat...
Reel 'em in Coach!
ktownorange32 writes:
Bell would be an AWESOME land for us and I hope he comes, but even if not I'm happy to see CBJ taking that step and trying. I played ball in HS (and no im not saying im some huge expert) and remember that players that were getting recruited looked to former players for advice and guidance so even if Bell doesn't land here, CBJ going after him and having a good effect on him may help a future recruit that knows Bell or played with him. If Bell turns out to be the star everyone is expecting him to, players that don't even have a personal relationship with Bell will look to him for guidance. However it turns out, I'm glad CBJ has the kahunas (spelling? lol) to step in there with the Bama's and the Ohio State's and fight for the bigger names. It may not get them here this year, but that work put in will show up in the future.
RashaadSalabeb writes:
Vonn, we want you young man! You'll look great in orange! The next Eric Berry!
Go Vols!
RockVegas writes:
We were talking about that Saturday at a family members house,Bama and Nick Saban are winning so recruiting's not hard at all when you are winning championships but why in the world would you go somewhere and ride the bench for 2 or 3 years at Bama,when you could go somewhere else like U.T and probably start as a freshmen,I don't get that...GBO.
oldster writes:
I really wonder why Dooley did not pay more attention to this guy?
oldster writes:
I do. When something is razed to the ground, as the men's side of the UT athletic department has been, it takes a while to raise it back up. Further, even when it is raised some, it will seem even longer when the competition is so very high. No, it was 47 years between UT's last two national championships and I expect it to be at least that long between the last one and the next one.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
The next EB's are coming next year..
lomas98 writes:
It still boils down to where you feel comfortable and winning helps as well. If he went to Bama, he would definitely be in contention to play for SEC championship every year and be in consideration for national title. He could potentially not have to sit for 2 or 3 years either. I know he likes TN going back to child hood, which will help, but honestly he could possibly contend for the east maybe once in his 4 years. I hope he comes to TN and could be a nice piece to build future classes over, but early playing time doesn't seal the deal. The RB over the weekend who committed to Michigan felt more comfortable with the situation there than at TN. A commitment from him may have really got the ball rolling.
voloffaith writes:
Gee Wilbur!!! Of course the horse...Mister Ed.So James Berry is a horse? Or the twins are horses? Yes, the odds are better of Eric's siblings coming now that Sir Dooley is Dallas bound and they are getting some love and affection...I mean attention...
LibertyVolance writes:
Wish you hadn't said "Rumor has it". That's what they all say. The rumors are usually 100% wrong.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
No he isn't. This couldn't be further from the truth. Where do you come up with this stuff?
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
My influence nor yours would matter, bench warmer.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Hey Rich, I just got a text that Skipper de-committed..Have you heard this?
pingkr62 writes:
I agree! I personally think the team will be better, since CBJ won't play favorites. I can't remember which UT player said something to the effect "Now the best players will get a chance to play". Another reason the team will be better is CBJ will light a fire under the teams rear ends, and won't put up with quitters. I can't wait until September. G.B.O.!!!
chad954ut writes:
Bell will be a Vol ! Put it in stone. As a Chattanooga area native, I have been keeping up with him for two years. If Dooley had stayed we would have had zero chance. He seems to like Jones quite a bit.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Yeah, I heard that on GV247..Also, Lawson may be leaning toward UT as well as Brown from WPB FL. The defense could be getting some serious players this year, and there is no reason they can't contribute immediately.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Thank you, AH..
VolFanInTheBoro (Inactive) writes:
He's committed to Arkansas
TheCopper writes:
Fulmer was a bum, just like you.
Vols4Ever writes:
If you even think for a moment that Philip Fulmer displayed anything less than total class and lifelong devotion to the VOLS, then you sir, are an idiot and should forever be excluded from ever forming a rationale opinion, which obviously has already occurred.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
Yes this is true. But JUCO Chongo Kondolo just committed. The JUCO OG will have 3years to play 2. Which is good, gives him a RS year.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/tennessee/foo...
Snapshot writes:
Is it true you are the bitter and less talented brother of legendary Vol Richmond Flowers?
Dooley is gone now, but see you have already started a crusade against Butch Jones, who has been on the job about a month and a half. Of course that would be enough time for someone of YOUR coaching ability to have turned things around and be competing for a NC this year. Right, benchwarmer???
bigorangebolt writes:
Vol fans:
Vonn Bell is an awesome young man and player. I know his high school coach. He grew up a UT fan, but he really likes Nick Saban. I told Vonn, he could contribute immediately at Tn, and he might get lost in the shuffle at Alabama.Lets hope Vonn Bell becomes a TN Volunteer!
volfan1202 writes:
According to Rivals.com this morning, Tennessee has dropped to #41 in overall recruiting and dropped to #12 in the SEC (now falling behind Mizzou).
PATHETIC! Best coaching staff in the country... riiiight.
tnvol4ever writes:
Scout has Ky ahead of UT now. Holy Cow
TheCopper writes:
Yes he displayed class. That doesn't mean he was a good coach. If you needed clarification of my comment, you should have asked before running your mouth.
orangeman1 writes:
Your comment was classless regardless of its intent. Fulmer is a Hall of Fame coach who's success has been unmatched at UT in the modern era.
DwayneElizondoMountainDewHerbertCamacho writes:
Yeah...the best kids just LOVE to play as soon as possible. That's why Nick Saban can't ever build depth, because what high school kids really want to do is play early.
This line of reasoning is played out. The great players choose great programs no matter how long it takes to get on the field. They know it gives them the best shot at the NFL. Vonn Bell will choose Bama or Ohio State because those two programs are light years ahead of the Vols. He isn't going to choose Jones and his Cincinnati crew. If he wanted to play for a Big East school, he has plenty of offers.
AllforTenn writes:
Get over Fulmer! What was our record his last year?
DwayneElizondoMountainDewHerbertCamacho writes:
Because Alabama WINS. It isn't rocket science. They win championships and give their players the best prep for the NFL.
It isn't rocket science...but then, with this fan base, maybe it is.
UT is still trying to stumble backwards into some kind of a winning season by hiring marginal coaches, horrible Athletic Directors, and paying both of them waaaay too much.
It's Big East football time in Tennessee!!!
KnoxVegas88 writes:
In your case Flowers, that should be "straight from the horses's a**".......get lost.
TheCopper writes:
Well cry me a river you big baby. Get over Fulmer, he is gone.
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