Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
“Strike while the iron is hot.”
Le’Veon Bell took this timeless saying to heart, though the iron he’s thinking of would no doubt be the gridiron. After the banner season he had in 2012, it’s no wonder he elected to forgo his last year of eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft.
Groveport Madison High School had a significant talent in Bell, and the success grew from year to year. From 789 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore to 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior, he was definitely going places. He went out in a blaze of glory when he was chosen first-team All Ohio Capital Conference Ohio Division as a senior; that year he also had 1,750 total yards and 24 touchdowns.
Bell elected to further pursue his love for football by accepting a scholarship offer from the Michigan State Spartans, and the record of excellence continued. As a true freshman in 2010, he played in all 13 games and rushed for over 100 yards in his very first game; accolades in the form of Big Ten Freshman of the Week came his way twice that season. The kudos continued in 2011 by way of being awarded Spartan Offensive Player of the Week—more than once—and earning the team’s Most Outstanding Underclass Back Award for offense. As had become Bell’s tradition, his final year was his best. From winning the College Football Performance Awards Elite Running Back trophy to the Big Ten overall rushing title (and a plethora of illustrious accomplishments in between), the iron was—and is—definitely hot.
Michigan State’s loss could well be the Atlanta Falcons’ gain…if the Falcons strike while the gridiron is hot.
Leigh Allen is an NFL Atlanta Falcons writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter, on Facebook, and on Google+.
