Latest news with #DiaBell
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Receives Exciting News on Commit Dia Bell
Texas Receives Exciting News on Commit Dia Bell originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Texas Longhorns have three five-star commits from the 2026 class via On3 Sports, but none may be more important than quarterback Dia Bell. The Longhorns also have commitments from five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson and five-star edge rusher Richard Wesley. ESPN's Billy Tucker ranked the top recruits regardless of class on Thursday and had Bell at No. 5. Bell is the No. 4 overall recruit and top quarterback in the 2026 class via the On3 Industry Rankings. He recently had a dominant performance at the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles, California, alongside other top quarterback recruits in the class. The quarterback prospect has been committed to the Longhorns since June of last year and is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He attends American Heritage High School and comes in at 6-foot-2.5, 220 pounds. Texas boasts a top-10 class for the 2026 cycle on On3 Sports, which is not surprising considering the high-quality talent it has attracted. The Longhorns recently earned a commitment from four-star cornerback Samari Matthews. However, there are some prospects that Texas has missed. The Longhorns were not able to add to their class with the commitment of four-star athlete Jalen Lott, who instead pledged to the Oregon Ducks. Before Bell arrives in Austin, the Longhorns begin the Arch Manning era at quarterback. Manning played in 10 games last season with two starts, leading his team to wins over UL Monroe and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. It is safe to say that the future is bright at Texas, especially at the quarterback story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five-star recruit James Johnson flips his commitment from Georgia to Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns have added another five-star recruit to their 2026 class. On Tuesday, James Johnson flipped his commitment from Georgia to Texas. It is a significant win for Texas as the Miami native is ranked as the top defensive lineman in his class by Rivals. During the recruiting process, Johnson made two stops to the Forty Acres. His most recent visit came this past weekend. That trip was a very good sign for Texas as Johnson was initially supposed to visit Syracuse, which he canceled so he could be in Texas. Following the trip, Johnson raved about the coaching staff and culture. Over the last few months, the Northwestern High School product has drawn interest from some of the top programs in the nation. That included Florida State, Florida, and Miami. While he was committed to Georgia, the Longhorns made Johnson an offer he could not turn down. After a frustrating few weeks on the recruiting trail, the Longhorns have been busy bringing in elite talent over the last ten days. Texas also secured commitments from four-star cornerback Samari Matthews and five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson. They will join a 2026 class that also includes five-star quarterback Dia Bell and five-star cornerback Jermaine Bishop. Due to their recent additions, Texas is poised to extend their playoff run. Their defense, which was one of the best in the nation last year, has only gotten better. With Atkinson and Johnson now in the mix, there should be no drop-off after this upcoming season for a program with national title aspirations. Currently, Texas now has one of the best 2026 classes in the nation. They have the potential to make life difficult for quarterbacks and give offensive coordinators nightmares. With the start of the 2025 campaign just a few months away, Texas is heating up on the recruiting trail. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: 5-star recruit James Johnson flips his commitment from Georgia to Texas
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas commit Dia Bell, Arch Manning's heir apparent, shines at Elite 11, eyes MVP honors
The 2025 Elite 11 Finals conclude Thursday with a 7-on-7 showcase, capping a week of competition for 20 of the nation's top high school quarterbacks. Wednesday's events at Mira Costa High School featured the Panini Accuracy Challenge and the Pro Day drill. Texas Longhorns commit Dia Bell, a five-star prospect from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, impressed in both. Bell showed off his arm strength in the accuracy challenge, hitting targets at all distances with only minor misses due to aim. In the Pro Day drill, which simulates game throws to moving receivers, Bell completed 15 of 20 passes, with most incompletions coming on overthrows. Advertisement Bell, ranked as On3's No. 10 performer on Day 2. The son of former NBA star Raja Bell was named the MVP of Day 1 and remains in contention for Elite 11 MVP honors as the competition wraps up. The award has previously gone to future NFL quarterbacks such as Caleb Williams, C.J. Stroud, and Matthew Stafford. Bell is the 12th Texas commit to participate in the Elite 11 Finals since its inception in 1999. Off the field, Bell has emerged as a vocal recruiter for Texas, hinting this week that another major commitment could be on the way for the Longhorns' 2026 class. Bell, ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2026 cycle by On3, passed for 2,597 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior before a playoff injury ended his season. Despite continued interest from top programs like Georgia and Alabama, Bell has remained firm in his Texas commitment. Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire. Advertisement This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas 2026 commit Dia Bell eyeing elite MVP honors at Elite 11 event
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arch Manning heir apparent, Texas QB commit Dia Bell named MVP of entire Elite 11 event
Dia Bell will probably be the heir apparent to Arch Manning in a couple of years. The five-star has been committed to Texas for over a year. Now, the 2026 blue chip quarterback has a major feather in his cap. Bell has been named the overall MVP of the prestigious Elite 11 QB event in Los Angeles. Bell was the MVP of Day 1 of the event and had a strong showing on Day 2. His performance on Day 3 clinched the title, something Elite 11 attendee Vince Young couldn't do. Of the eleven Texas quarterbacks to be invited to the event, Bell is the first to win the overall MVP. Bell is also the son of former NBA star Raja Bell. The event, which includes quarterbacks committed to the likes of Tennessee, Florida, Penn State, Texas A&M and Washington, is the biggest camp of the recruiting season for quarterbacks. Past MVPs include Clemson's Cade Klubnik, Caleb Williams, C.J. Stroud, Justin Fields, Tua Tagovailoa, Matthew Stafford. According to On3, Bell finished 18 of 23 passing for four touchdowns during the 7v7 portion of Day 3 on Thursday. 'Dia Bell lived up to his status as On3's highest rated Elite 11 Finalist, stacking three impressive days of work in Los Angeles. The Texas commit showed the most refined and consistent mechanics we saw throughout the week. Bell was the On3 MVP on Day 1, standing out during drill work. He was a Top Performer on Day 2, flashing excellent footwork in his drops from under center. On Day 3, Bell pitched a clean sheet in 7-on-7, going 18 of 23 for 4 touchdowns, with zero interceptions or sacks. The South Florida native's arm talent, level of refined skill, and track record against top competition give him the highest floor of any quarterback in the 2026 cycle.' — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Bell, who was named the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year, had his 2024 season cut short due to a serious leg injury in Florida's state playoffs. But his performance at Elite 11 should put to rest any fears that the injury would impact Bell's longterm outlook. During his junior year at American Heritage High School, the 6-foot-2 QB threw for 2,597 yards and 29 touchdowns, completing 70.6% of his passes. Bell is the No. 2 ranked QB in the 2026 recruiting class according to On3's Industry Composite Rankings. 'The Elite 11 is a huge thing for quarterbacks, so it is an honor for me to be in the Finals this week. I have been going to camps since I was in middle school, trying to get my name out there and being in this event was always a goal for me. Being invited and being able to compete means a lot. You want to be a top guy, and this is where you show it.' - Bell told On3's Chad Simmons Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire. Advertisement This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Arch Manning heir apparent Dia Bell named MVP of entire Elite 11 event
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New No. 1! Texas commit Dia Bell now top QB in 2026 recruiting class
There's a new No. 1 QB in the 2026 recruiting class and it is none other than Texas Longhorns commit Dia Bell. The probable Arch Manning heir apparent has moved up the rankings thanks to a stellar summer highlighted by being named MVP of the Elite 11 camp. Rivals has gone through a complete re-ranking of the top 300 2026 prospects. The Fort Lauderdale, FL signal caller is now the No. 2 player overall in class behind Miami Hurricanes offensive tackle commit Jackson Cantwell. Bell jumped Georgia Bulldogs QB commit Jared Curtis in the QB Rankings. 'From an arm talent perspective, Texas commit Dia Bell is as good as anyone in the 2026 cycle. He's the definition of a natural thrower. His ability to manipulate the football and throw consistently catchable footballs from multiple arm angles is a treat to watch. He can dice up defenses on Friday evenings and makes special throws. He's someone that has tons of upside especially as he develops and fills out his frame down the line.' -- Rivals scout Keegan Pope The five-star has been committed to Texas for over a year. He becomes the fourth Longhorns QB commit since the mid 1990s to be ranked as either the No. 1 or No. 2 overall prospect in the nation. The others were Chris Simms (1999), Vince Young (2002) and Arch Manning (2023). Bell, who was named the Florida Gatorade Player of the Year, had his 2024 season cut short due to a serious leg injury in Florida's state playoffs. But his performance at Elite 11 should put to rest any fears that the injury would impact Bell's longterm outlook. Advertisement During his junior year at American Heritage High School, the 6-foot-2 QB threw for 2,597 yards and 29 touchdowns, completing 70.6% of his passes. Follow us on X/Twitter at @LonghornsWire. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns commit Dia Bell now ranked as No. 1 QB in 2026 class
