Ohio State and Alabama haven’t met on the field since January 2, 1995, when the Crimson Tide beat the Buckeyes 24-17 in a heated Citrus Bowl matchup. But the two programs battle on the recruiting front every year, as Urban Meyer and Nick Saban pursue a number of the same elite high school prospects.
There are three players, in particular, who were recruited by Saban who wound up joining the Buckeyes—and that trio will play a huge role in Ohio State’s upset bid against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Vonn Bell
As a 5-star safety out of Rossville, Georgia, Vonn Bell was one of the most highly recruited players in the 2013 class. The ball-hawking defensive back had offers from some of the top programs in the country—namely Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Notre Dame and Texas.
But in the end, it was a three-horse race between Ohio State, Alabama and Tennessee. Bell spurned the SEC schools in favor of the Buckeyes, announcing his decision on national signing day.
According to Ari Wasserman of The Plain Dealer, Meyer told Bell and his brother Volonte that the Buckeyes and the Tide would be meeting on the field soon:
“We were talking to Coach Meyer, and me and Vonn were just standing there when he said, ‘Vonn, if you go to Alabama you’re going to be seeing me anyway.’ Then he said, ‘You might as well ride with us to the game.'”
Now that Meyer’s prediction has come to fruition, Bell will be…
Continue Reading: 3 Ohio State Players Alabama Recruited Who Will Be Key in Sugar Bowl Matchup
