Recruiting expert player comparisons for Dia Bell, Tyler Atkinson, and the rest of the elite Texas 2026 recruiting class
247Sports scouting department are the best of the best. Especially when it comes to grading players and making comps. Let’s take a look at the top commits in Texas’ 2026 class and how they grade out.
The Texas 2026 recruiting class is currently ranked 6th overall, and it’s already an elite group for head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns staff. From top to bottom, Texas holds five-star verbal commitments from three five-stars and seven four-stars.
Everyone loves when writers do player comparisons, right? It’s fun to speculate how prospects will eventually pan out. Let’s look at who 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins and national scouting analysts Gabe Brooks and Cooper Petagna comp for the elite class.
For those who don't have a player comp, I will take a shot at making my own.
5-star QB Dia Bell – American Heritage (Fla.)
Player comp: Dante Moore (Oregon)
Crafty quarterback prospect with a well-rounded game that has shown year-over-year improvement. Had junior campaign cut short due to injury, but put strong spells of play on tape while navigating through one of the more difficult schedules in the country. Frequently calm and collected in the pocket and isn’t one to flinch in the face of pressure as he uses his above-average athleticism to extend plays and get out of trouble. Smooth stroke and cleaner mechanics allow him to layer the football to the second level and exploit tight coverage windows. Utilizes plenty of touch on his deep shots and will lead his wide receivers to the promise land. Has gotten better at working through his progressions, but must keep evolving as a field reader and understand when the risk might outweigh the reward. Likely to undergo a major physical transformation in the coming years as in-person evaluations suggest that the body – which is equipped with big 10-inch hands – is still maturing. – Andrew Ivins
5-star LB Tyler Atkinson – Grayson (Ga.)
Player comp: Roquan Smith (Baltimore Ravens)
Highly-productive inside linebacker that can emerge as the soul of a defense with his instincts and athleticism. Owns more of a streamlined build at this stage, but is blessed with a longer frame and should have no issues eventually carrying 225 pounds or more. Quick to locate the football with his field awareness and will mirror ball carries with his rare start-stop ability and exceptional lateral burst. Has proven to be rather effective on the blitz as he will slip and dip around blockers before geting to the quarterback. Not one that has been asked to man-up a ton in coverage, but is comfortable dropping back into space and shading passing lanes. Must keep improving play strength and get better at attacking college-sized linemen, but should be viewed as a playmaking second-level defender that can rack up stops all over the field like he has been doing since he was a freshman for one of the Peach State’s top programs. Could fit into a variety of different schemes at the next level and will likely offer three-down value given how he moves and strikes. – Andrew Ivins
5-star ATH Jermaine Bishop – Willis (Tex.)
Player comp: Jordan Addison (Minnesota Vikings)
One of the best pure football players in the country, reflected by absurd production on both sides of the ball across multiple Texas 6A varsity seasons. Dynamic three-phase playmaker who lacks ideal measurables and frame specs, but possesses wiry tendon strength shown in ball skills, run-after-catch strength, and surprising striking power for such a lean cover man. Ball skills magician. Immense production at receiver: nearly 3,000 yards and 35 touchdowns in sophomore-junior seasons. Also recorded eight INTs and scored four non-offensive TDs in that span. Junior season revealed noticeable improvement in speed-changing nuance and general RAC ability. Accelerates well and has shown enhanced top-end speed year over year. Checks the multi-sport box with varsity basketball experience and junior high and freshman track and field reps. Clearly lacks mass and owns a narrow build that could limit bulking capacity. Past testing data suggests need for improved top-end gear, though functional field speed shows that. Legitimate candidate to play two-way snaps at the P4 level. High school profile similar to players such as Kamari Lassiter, Ladd McConkey, Jordan Addison, perhaps even Travis Hunter in recent years. Projects as a high-major impact player who could become an early-round draft candidate. – Gabe Brooks
4-star EDGE Richard Wesley – Sierra Canyon (Calif.)
Player comp: Kayvon Thibodeaux (New York Giants)
Wesley was a top five overall prospect in the ’27 class before re-classifying to the ’26 class. A very talented player and the best edge prospect to come out of California since at least Kayvon Thibodeaux from the class of 2019. Has actually been comped to Thibodeaux in terms of frame and play style but at the same stage in their development, might looks further along from a size, strength and toughness standpoint. Shows off natural pass rush ability and can dominate the run game as well. Flashes a quick get-off, uses his hands well and can bend, dip and explode off the corner. Strong at the point of attack and shows off a nice physical edge in his game. Loves the weight room and has the multi-sport background we like to see in an edge rusher as well. When you combine his size, natural athleticism, motor and work ethic, his ceiling is as high as any player out West.
4-star DL Vodney Cleveland – Parker (Ala.)
Player comp: Bryan Bresee (New Orleans Saints)
Quick twitch explosive interior defensive lineman that shows the ability to consistently win with first step quickness and power at the point of attack. Possesses a collegiate ready frame, verified north of 300-pounds that should help him transition to the collegiate game with relative ease. Plays predominantly in an odd front at Parker High School, displaying the ability to play multiple positions on the defensive line, including nose tackle. Plays with outstanding force on the interior, exhibiting the ability to take on and defeat double teams in the run game while also demonstrating a unique ability to generate pass rush as evidenced by his 5.5 sacks as a junior. High floor prospect that projects as an impact starter at the Power Four level possessing the frame and physical ability to provide immediate value on Saturdays. – Cooper Petagna
4-star IOL John Turntine III – North Crowley (Tex.)
Player comp: Joe Thuney (Chicago Bears)
High-level offensive lineman who could possibly play multiple roles in college. Displays impressive movement ability coupled with obvious strength and sudden power. On-schedule traveler who gets wherever needed in any given scenario. A bit tight-ankled but generally quick-footed. Excels at climbing and engaging in space at the second level. Promising multi-sport profile with discus prowess pushing 160-foot plateau. Gets out over his feet at times and can play with better bend. Showed year-over-year improvement in body control compared to sophomore season. Played a key role for a Texas 6A D-I state championship team in 2024. Dropped significant weight from sophomore to junior season, but continues to re-add good mass entering senior campaign. Projects as a high-major lineman with tackle athleticism but elite guard potential who could develop into a candidate for the top half of the draft down the road. – Gabe Brooks
4-star DL James Johnson – Northwestern (Fla.)
Player comp: Aeneas Peebles (Baltimore Ravens)
High-level offensive lineman who could possibly play multiple roles in college. Displays impressive movement ability coupled with obvious strength and sudden power. On-schedule traveler who gets wherever needed in any given scenario. A bit tight-ankled but generally quick-footed. Excels at climbing and engaging in space at the second level. Promising multi-sport profile with discus prowess pushing 160-foot plateau. Gets out over his feet at times and can play with better bend. Showed year-over-year improvement in body control compared to sophomore season. Played a key role for a Texas 6A D-I state championship team in 2024. Dropped significant weight from sophomore to junior season, but continues to re-add good mass entering senior campaign. Projects as a high-major lineman with tackle athleticism but elite guard potential who could develop into a candidate for the top half of the draft down the road. – Andrew Ivins
4-star DL Dylan Berymon – Ouachita Parish (La.)
Player comp: Jayden Jackson (Oklahoma)
Pit bull of an interior defensive lineman with broad trunk, big base, and corresponding power and strength. Wears 300-plus pounds well considering relatively limited frame in height/length dimensions. Flashes sudden quickness in the trenches with knock-back power enhanced by a hot motor and intense field demeanor. Provided a tone-setting competitive edge during elite camp competition at Under Armour New Orleans. Flashed consistent first-step juice and natural leverage to establish rip angles for 1-on-1 supremacy in that camp setting. Marked second consecutive spring he assembled a stellar live performance in front of our staff. Huge, stout lower half serves as the engine to his speed-to-power abilities. Enhances athletic profile with shot put and discus reps, including a 46-5 sophomore shot rep that reflects sudden power in pads. March 2025 camp exposure suggests progressing pass-rush development from a move set perspective. Projects to the high-major level a potential impact player with long-term NFL Draft qualities. – Gabe Brooks
4-star CB Samari Matthews – Hough (N.C.)
Player comp: Trey Amos (Washington Commanders)
Height/weight/speed cornerback that’s made-to-order for a boundary role with his aggressive tendencies.-Not a ton of ball production to date on the high school resume, but that’s in large part because not a lot of targets have come his way. Experienced in press-man and will use his strength to jam assignments while establishing leverage. Frequently puts himself in position to make plays in coverage at the intermediate levels and will drive towards the catch point with urgency. Embraces his duties as a run defender and will shed perimeter blocks to keep containment. Answered plenty of questions spring before senior as he shut down one side of the field at a UA Next camp outside of Charlotte. Might not be able to shadow every vertical route on Saturdays, but has the tools to be very effective in a bump-and-run system. Projects as a potential multi-year starter for a College Football Playoff hopeful that can match larger targets and be a reliable tackler. – Andrew Ivins
