New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced Tuesday that the club has signed safety Vonn Bell, a second-round draft pick (61st overall) to a four-year contract.
Bell, 21, was the Saints' second selection in the second round of the draft out of Ohio State. The 5-foot-11 inch, 205-pound Rossville, Ga. native appeared in 42 games with 28 starts in three seasons for the Buckeyes and finished his college career with totals of 176 tackles (116 solo), one sack, nine interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, 24 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries. In 2015, Bell was a consensus first-team All-American and a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist after recording 65 tackles, two interceptions, one brought back for a touchdown, 11 passes defensed and one fumble recovery. In 2014, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Selection for the College Football Playoff champions and finished second on the team with 92 tackles, one sack, six interceptions, 12 passes defensed and one fumble recovery.