Breaking news: QB Dia Bell, No. 9 in 2026 ESPN 300, Commits to Texas
Dia Bell, the No. 2 pocket passer and No. 9 overall prospect in the 2026 ESPN 300, committed to the University of Texas on Monday. Bell, a 6-foot-3 quarterback from American Heritage High School in Florida, is the third top-10 commit in the 2026 class. His father, Raja Bell, is a former NBA veteran who played for several teams over 12 seasons.
Bell’s athletic background is evident, as he averaged 20.7 points per game during his freshman season as a point guard at American Heritage. He chose Texas over several other top programs, including LSU, Penn State, and Auburn, citing the strong relationships he developed with coaches Steve Sarkisian and AJ Milwee, as well as the Longhorns’ reputation for developing quarterbacks.
Dia Bell Commits to Texas Longhorns
Dia Bell, the highly touted quarterback prospect from American Heritage High School in Florida, has committed to the University of Texas Longhorns for the 2026 class. Bell, ranked as the No. 2 pocket passer and No. 9 overall prospect in the 2026 ESPN 300, made his decision public on Monday afternoon.
The Longhorns first extended an offer to Bell after he visited the Austin campus on March 19th. This initial offer came less than three weeks before Bell attended Texas’ elite camp on the first weekend of June. In addition to his visit to Texas, Bell also took spring trips to Auburn, Miami, and Penn State as part of his recruitment process.
Dia Bell comes from an impressive athletic lineage, as he is the son of former NBA veteran Raja Bell. The elder Bell was a standout at Florida International University and went on to play 12 seasons in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Charlotte Bobcats, and Golden State Warriors. The younger Bell has shown his own impressive athletic abilities, averaging 20.7 points per game during his freshman season as a point guard at American Heritage High School.
Bell’s commitment to Texas marks the second, and highest-rated, prospect in the Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting class. He joins ESPN 300 running back Raycine Guillory, who committed to Texas on January 20th and is ranked as the 18th-best running back in the 2026 class. With Bell now in the fold, the Longhorns’ long-term quarterback depth chart is shaping up to be quite impressive. The 2026 class will join 2025 commit K.J. Lacey (No. 9 pocket passer) and 2024 signee Trey Owens (No. 17 pocket passer), as well as second-year quarterback Arch Manning.
The addition of Bell to the 2026 class comes at a time when the Longhorns’ recruiting efforts are gaining significant momentum. As of the start of June, Texas was ranked No. 16 in ESPN’s team recruiting rankings for the 2025 class. The commitment of a top-10 prospect like Bell is sure to boost the Longhorns’ standing even further, as they continue to build a talented roster for the future.
Overall, Dia Bell’s decision to commit to the University of Texas is a major coup for the Longhorns’ coaching staff, led by head coach Steve Sarkisian and offensive coordinator AJ Milwee. Bell’s combination of size, skill, and athletic pedigree make him a highly sought-after prospect, and his pledge to Texas solidifies the program’s quarterback depth and recruiting momentum for years to come.