Quarterback U? Texas Longhorns and Steve Sarkisian extend wildly impressive recruiting streak which sets them apart from every other program
Steve Sarkisian and his staff continue to stockpile elite talent under center. Go inside to learn about what makes Dia Bell the best at what he does.
American Heritage (Fla.) five-star quarterback Dia Bell earned yet another accolade Monday. Rivals released its rankings update and the Texas Longhorns commit is now the No. 1 overall prospect at his position in the Rivals300.
The Elite 11 MVP is holding firm with his verbal commitment to Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns. Once he signs in December, it will give Texas its third-straight No. 1 prospect at the quarterback position. Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning are Sarkisian's other two top-ranked, five-star signees during his tenure in Austin.
I spoke with Andrew Ivins, 247Sports' director of scouting, once everything was wrapped up in California at the Elite 11 Finals. He gave his thoughts on why Bell was named MVP and what he thinks of his future on the Forty Acres.
"It's the intangibles. You look at him and his body of work and you ask yourself, 'what's the x-factor'? I think it's the fact he is so good at a variety of things," Ivins said. "He doesn't really flinch at the sign of pressure, either. His father was an NBA player, he plays basketball as well, he has the 'it' feel. Moxy and field command."
Ivins is located in the state of Florida so he's put a set of eyes on Bell plenty of times outside of the quarterback event. He thinks he has already begun to carve out his own path prior to arriving in Texas.
"With legacy prospects, the bloodlines are always going to be a part of the story and early on it was 'this is Raja's kid'," Ivins said. "But I think we can bury that anecdote. This is the five-star quarterback who will factor into the competition once Arch Madness is over."
Dia Bell is now the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2026 class, according to Rivals. Dia Bell proving doubters wrong is not a new thing, though.
Ivins said he and colleague Gabe Brooks started the Bell hype train early after seeing him at an earlier competition.
"We felt pretty convicted after he showed up at the Elite 11 regional in Austin. Gabe thought it was the most talented regional he's ever attended. Dia held his own on a windy day," Ivins said. "He got some exposure points and when you sat there and watched you were glad he was a five-star. He can make the throws and he can extend with his legs."
The Navy All-American Bowl selection threw for 2,597 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior – earning 2024 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year honors. He also added 561 yards and five touchdowns on the ground as well. American Heritage finished 9-2 and Bell completed 71 percent of his passes.
"Dia fits in as that steady Eddie type of prospect who has the feel," Ivins said. "He's so well-rounded in so many different areas. Sark is going to cater to what he has to work with. To me, when I look at the long-term outlook of the quarterback room, I like Dia Bell."
