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Ridgeland High School five-star recruit Vonn Bell surprised the large gathering inside the school gymnasium and a national television audience this morning by choosing Ohio State over Tennessee and Alabama.

Bell thanked the Crimson Tide and Volunteers coaching staffs for their efforts and admitted the decision was not an easy one. The 6-foot, 190-pounder, who helped lead Ridgeland to the Georgia Class AAAA championship game this past season, cited the opportunity to play for coach Urban Meyer as a major factor in his decision.

Bell, a consensus top-five safety among recruiting services, received more than 20 major college offers following a breakout junior season. He backed that up in 2012 with 89 solo tackles, 53 assists, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a team-leading 13 big hits. Offensively the wingback had 1,006 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns to go with 517 yards receiving (36.9 yards per catch) and six touchdowns.

Read more about Bell's big decision in Thursday's Times Free Press.