WATCH: 5-star Texas commit Dia Bell shows off football skills during electric matchup

By Aman Sharma

Modified Aug 25, 2024 14:42 GMT

Dia Bell, a standout quarterback and top recruit, recently demonstrated his football prowess in an American heritage football game. As the high school football's first week kicked off, two future Texas Longhorns: Bell, a 2026 prospect from Fort Lauderdale's American Heritage High School; and KJ Lacey, a 2025 quarterback from Saraland, Alabama, exhibited their skills.

Ranked as the No. 2 pocket passer and the No. 9 overall player in the 2026 ESPN 300, Bell led American Heritage to a hard-fought victory. His ability to avoid the pass rush, maintain composure and deliver precise throws while on the move was a testament to his talent.

A particular highlight from the game, shared widely on social media by Rivals.com, featured Bell evading defenders, rolling out of the pocket and throwing a pinpoint touchdown pass.

His knack for extending plays and creating opportunities makes him a significant threat outside the pocket. Bell committed to Texas in June, choosing the Longhorns over other powerhouse programs such as LSU, Florida State, Ohio State and Tennessee.

He cited Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian's track record with quarterbacks as a key factor in his decision.

"I did my own research before, so I know how good he is with quarterbacks and the amount of quarterback talent he's put in the NFL," Bell told 247Sports. "That's one thing he says that sticks out about them. On top of that, they just show a lot of love. They always just like catching up with me when I get out there and when I call them, they like catching up. It's all that."

Standing at 6-foot-3, Bell is one of the top recruits in the 2026 class, joining other elite prospects like Chris Henry Jr. and Jared Curtis.

Texas commit Dia Bell: A rising star with a strong quarterback pedigree

Dia Bell, the son of former NBA player Raja Bell, is carving out his athletic legacy in football. Raja Bell, a standout at Florida International, played 12 seasons in the NBA with teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, among others.

Dia Bell also showcased his versatility as a point guard, averaging 20.7 points per game during his freshman year at American Heritage. Bell's football stats include completing 135 of 210 passes for 2,246 yards and scoring 24 touchdowns.

The Texas Longhorns extended an offer to him during a March 19 visit to Austin, which led to his commitment three weeks after attending Texas' elite camp in early June.

Since committing to Texas, Bell has been fully on board. Reflecting on his decision, Bell noted:

"You've seen what Quinn Ewers was able to do this year... and the Manning family sending Arch there shows a sign they think what they're doing at Texas is good for quarterbacks."

At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, Dia Bell is ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. His commitment marks the highest-rated recruit for Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian in the 2026 class, joining running back Raycine Guillory.