ROSSVILLE, Ga. (WRCB) -- Vonn Bell is still a full year from his 2013 National Signing Day, but the Ridgeland standout had an extremely busy 48 hours around college football's biggest recruiting day in 2012.
After Alabama's Nick Saban personally offered the Panthers' junior safety a scholarship on Wednesday, Tennessee coach Derek Dooley followed with one from the Vols on Thursday.
Though Dooley's offer comes with a bit of a backstory.
Our media partners at the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported Bell's offer from Saban on Thursday, along with Bell's desire to get one from Tennessee. The former Chattanooga Central transfer grew up as a huge Vols' fan, but Ridgeland coach Mark Mariakas' efforts to contact UT coaches had gone unreturned.
"It was an interesting call to say the least," Mariakas quipped. "The assistant who initially called me said Coach Dooley had been bombarded by texts, emails and phone calls from people wondering why they weren't offering him.
"Apparently all that was ready and waiting for him when he sat down at his desk this morning."
Once the phone was passed to Dooley, Mariakas said the Tennessee coach made it very clear they wanted Bell in Knoxville despite their delay in contacting him.
"We know they've had quite an offseason up there with all the coaching hires they had to make, and Coach Dooley said Vonn's been on their radar and on their list," Mariakas said. "Vonn wasn't upset about it. He was excited to get the call."
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound safety, who received his first offer from Georgia in January, had a team-high 119 tackles last season and added five interceptions and three forced fumbles. He also returned three fumbles for touchdowns and added six more touchdowns on offense.
Despite the breakout season, Mariakas has been surprised by how quickly the offers have come. Bell hasn't attended any of the usual major college camps that help identify top prospects. Instead, Mariakas simply sent a highlight tape to about 20 schools, including the three who have offered.
"It's usually in the early spring somewhere that guys start getting offers, so there's no reason for him to rush right now," Mariakas said. "Coach Dooley apologized for not calling earlier, but told Vonn he's got a full year to court him and get him up to Knoxville.
"He's a great kid. He'll take his time and make the right decision."
