Hellstar's Dia Bell (19) against Doughboyz during the OT7 Orlando football tournament, Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)AP
The University of Texas has its quarterback recruit for the class of 2026.
Dia Bell, a five-star prospect from American Heritage School (Fla.), committed to the Longhorns on Monday afternoon, marking essentially the beginning of this recruiting class for head coach Steve Sarkisian.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Bell, the son of 12-year NBA veteran Raja Bell, is rated as the No. 2 quarterback in the class of 2026, and the No. 10 overall player. The only 2026 QB currently rated higher than Bell, via 247, is Nashville Christian School’s Jared Curtis, who committed to the University of Georgia.
Bell is the second class of 2026 commit for Sarkisian, joining three-star athlete Raycine Guillory, who committed in January.
Bell’s verbal commitment is non-binding, meaning he can still change his mind and other schools are free to engage with the 6-foot-2 signal caller. Bell is not able to sign a National Letter of Intent with Texas, or any other school, until Nov. 2025. Bell’s junior season at American Heritage, a perennial Florida State championship contender in Class 2M, will begin Aug. 16 vs. Blanche Ely.
Trying to project what sort of role Bell will play at Texas right out of the gate is difficult given he doesn’t step on campus for two more years, but in a vacuum, the starting job going into 2026 will potentially be open.
If the current timeline inside Sarkisian’s QB room continues, Quinn Ewers will exit after the 2024 season, handing the reins over to Arch Manning, who will be a redshirt sophomore in 2025. Manning will be NFL Draft-eligible in 2025, so if he leaves after three collegiate seasons, the job going into 2026 could be open.
At that point, Trey Owens would be in his third year of college, 2025 commit KJ Lacey would be in his second, and Bell would be walking in the door. None of that accounts for what Sarkisian may choose to do in terms of finding a veteran option out of the NCAA Transfer Portal.
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