Texas 5-star QB commit Dia Bell already drawing more top 2026 recruits

Cam Smith

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Texas 5-star QB commit Dia Bell already drawing more top 2026 recruits image

It’s been almost two years since Texas landed the most hyped college football recruit of all-time (™), Isidore Newman (La.) quarterback Arch Manning. Now, 18-months into Manning’s time on a college campus (and multiple lost college IDs later), the Longhorns and coach Steve Sarkisian appear to have their next superstar quarterback of the future. 

The commitment of American Heritage (Fla.) 5-star quarterback Dia Bell hands Texas the ultimate headliner for its very early class of 2026, and also the perfect transition from what is expected to be Manning’s future rein under center. Bell is a top-10 overall recruit in the Class of 2026. He’s a composite top-4 quarterback, a 5-star recruiting class leader who is seen as close to a can’t miss junior prospect as you’ll find. 

And that’s before you consider the celebrity pedigree; yes, Dia Bell is the son of former Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns star Raja Bell. In case you're wondering, yes, Bell is also a legitimate basketball prospect who plays for his father at American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) High School; he averaged nearly 14 points and 5 rebounds per game as a junior, with a 40-point game among his career highlights.

Still, those stats pale in comparison to his football resume and potential. In his first full season as the starting signal caller at American Heritage, Bell passed for nearly 2,000 yards, with 20 touchdowns and just four interceptions; he also had two additional touchdowns on the ground.

The long-term impact of Bell's commitment is potentially immense. While Texas has added a quality quarterback in both the 2024 (Texas 4-star high school star Trey Owens) and 2025 classes (Alabama 4-star K.J. Lacey is a current commit), neither possesses quite the buzz or pure arm strength of Bell. Not to mention his dedication to bringing in more talent to the class: 

That buzz is already bearing fruit. Just days after Bell’s commitment, one of the top wide receivers in the class, 4-star Chris Stewart from Pearland (Texas) followed suit: 

And, just after that, the top-rated overall 2026 prospect, DE Jahkeem Stewart, also announced an official visit to Austin. An official visit is far from a commitment, but the timing is more than mere coincidence. 

It's very early in the 2026 recruiting wars, but one can't underestimate the importance of momentum in building a monster class. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is deploying a "sandwich QB recruiting" model to both ensure he has adequate top-end depth at the most important position and to entice another loaded class to come in together, just as the 2023 group did behind Arch Manning. 

That's exciting news for Texas fans, and apparently for some 2025 and 2026 recruits as well. 

Cam Smith

Cam Smith Photo

Cam Smith is a 20-year sports journalism veteran whose career includes time writing for Yahoo Sports, The Washington Post, USA TODAY and contributions at The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, the Associated Press, Boston Herald and many others. He was born and raised in Texas, but later went to college in the Northeast and never moved back. Now based in Boston, he returns home to Austin as often as he can.