The portal class has officially been checked off. It’s time to get into the top 10 recruiting class the Longhorns signed and all the new players that are already in Austin. We will roll from top of the class to bottom(according to Rivals Industry), starting with the possible heir to the throne after Arch Manning makes his way to the NFL, Dia Bell. The new Longhorn signal caller comes in, like Manning, with family ties to elite athletics, just not on the gridiron.
Highschool Stats: 5,419 passing yards, 55 passing TDs, 12 INTs
Dia Bell’s father, Raja Bell, played in the NBA from 2001-2013, earning All-Defensive First Team in 2007 and Second Team in 2008. Dia took his talents to the football field but the basketball background does show. The freshman QB brings many elite traits to the table but chief among them is his accuracy and touch. His ability to make layered throws consistently is downright elite and fits the “point guard” type role in the offense, something that fits Sarkisian’s offense perfectly.
Good to be back! 14-19 for 282 yds 3 TD’s. Rushed for 61 yds and another TD in one half of work last night. 🤘🏽 #HookEm#Texas2026@ahspatfootball@TexasFootballpic.twitter.com/WyhHCh3rgF
— Dia Bell 2026 QB (@DiaBell3QB1) August 17, 2024
Dia Bell is slated to fit into the depth chart behind KJ Lacey and likely MJ Morris(NC State transfer) to preserve his redshirt. At that point, I believe it will be open competition between him and Lacey heading into the 2027 season. Bell will have every chance to win the job and is very capable of taking the QB1 spot. That’s all a conversation for a later date. For now, it’s about seeing him on April 18th and all the ability he brings to the table.
Dia Bell came out and showed exactly why he’s a 5-star with a dominant performance on night one of the @Elite11 Finals 🎯🔥
Texas got themselves a special one 🤘@DiaBell3QB1pic.twitter.com/cmJpZttA9f
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) June 18, 2025
One of the unique things about Bell(and much of the Longhorns class) is he has played a national schedule in high school. Bell has played games in Georgia and Louisiana, as well as American Heritage hosting many elite teams from around the country. The comfortability in understanding how to prepare on the road and consistently playing against other D1 players can be a real advantage. The adjustment will still have to happen but it could come smoother to Bell than it did to Manning.
#Texas QB commit Dia Bell leads American Heritage to an improbable comeback victory over St. Joseph’s Prep 31–28!
American Heritage trailed 28–0, and was down 28–14 with 6:55 left in the 4th quarter, scored 17 straight to win. @ontexasfootballpic.twitter.com/1QTu2l3Y8Y
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) August 23, 2025
The good news for Bell is not only is walking into what figures to be an elite offense in 2026 and beyond, but he also has time to come into his own. He will not see the field much, if at all, in 2026. He’ll come in with supreme talent, underrated athleticism and a remarkable work ethic, which means anything beyond 2026, Dia Bell could be at QB1.
Bell is the name most fans will be watching during the spring game but the name I expect to see the most on Saturdays in 2026 is Tyler Atkinson, elite LB from Georgia. We will talk about Atkinson and why I think he can be as good a LB that has ever come through Austin.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Fresh Faces on the Forty: Is Dia Bell heir apparent to Arch at Texas?
