Steve Sarkisian, the head coach of Texas football, has a strong record in recruiting top-tier quarterbacks. From Quinn Ewers to Arch Manning, Sarkisian has been instrumental in landing several prominent quarterbacks in recent years.
His latest success comes with the commitment of four-star recruit Dia Bell, who announced his decision to join Texas on X date.
Bell, hailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks as the second-best quarterback and the 10th overall prospect in the class of 2026. Even before entering his junior year of high school, Bell had received 37 other offers from various college football programs. His journey as a pocket passer began early, starting four varsity games as an eighth grader and recording 12 pass attempts and two rushing touchdowns. By his freshman year, he had played in nine games, completing 13 out of 21 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns, along with 30 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.
His sophomore season at American Heritage High School further solidified his status in the recruitment circuit. Bell threw for 1,929 yards, 20 passing touchdowns, and only four interceptions throughout the entire season.
Beyond his football prowess, Bell’s recruitment profile is bolstered by his family background; his father is Raja Bell, a former NBA shooting guard and two-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. In addition to football, Bell excels in basketball, averaging 20.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game during his freshman year of high school.
Bell now joins a prestigious list of quarterbacks recruited by Sarkisian, including Bryce Young, Jalen Milroe, Maalik Murphy, Arch Manning, Trey Owens, and KJ Lacey, marking Sarkisian’s eighth high-caliber quarterback acquisition since 2020, when he was coaching at Alabama.
Recruiting top talent like Bell is crucial for building and maintaining a competitive athletic program. With Bell’s commitment, Texas enters the 2024 season boasting one of the nation’s strongest quarterback rooms.
“Thank you to everyone who offered me the opportunity to pursue my dreams at your school,” Bell shared on X date alongside a photo of himself in Texas gear. “I appreciate each of you and the relationships we’ve built. These photos were taken exactly two years ago today. It’s always been the plan!”