The future at the quarterback position in Austin is blindingly bright.
Everyone in the country knows who will start for the Texas Longhorns in 2025. Arch Manning has been a star since he stepped on campus. But Texas also has its future secure beyond Manning with 5-star 2026 pledge Dia Bell. And Bell has a star pedigree of his own.
On Thursday, the Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage product was named the Elite 11 Finals MVP.
Bell was the leaderboard at the premier quarterback camp following Day 1. He was in second place after Day 2. During the 7-on-7 portion of the camp on Thursday, Bell completed 18 of his 23 throws for 4 touchdowns without taking a sack or throwing an interception to capture MVP honors.
Here’s the moment Bell was named MVP:
The Elite 11 Finals has taken place every year since 1999. It has grown into a destination event for the top high school quarterbacks in the nation. Alabama freshman Keelon Russell was named last year’s MVP. Before that, Julian Sayin (Alabama/Ohio State), Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma/Auburn), Cade Klubnik (Clemson), and Caleb Williams (Oklahoma/USC) earned the honor.
Here’s what 247Sports wrote about Bell’s showing in California:
Not many were as poised as Bell. He threw a very catchable ball and completed the longest pass of the day when he connected with a target 55 yards away from him. Bell has spent a good chunk of the past few months recovering from injury, but he’s finally close to 100 percent and that allowed him to utilize his clean mechanics while moving around.
Bell has been a Texas pledge for over a year now. He gave coach Steve Sarkisian his verbal commitment on June 17, 2024. Since, he has seen his stock soar. Offers from Alabama and Georgia came in. He earned his fifth star from recruiting services. But he has been steadfast in his Longhorns pledge.
In the industry-generated 247 Composite, Bell is the top-ranked recruit from the state of Florida and the No. 3 quarterback in the class. He ranks No. 13 overall in the national player rankings.
Bell, the son of former NBA guard Raja Bell, was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida last fall after leading American Heritage to a 9-2 record. He threw for 2,597 yards and 29 touchdowns with an additional 561 yards and 5 scores on the ground before suffering a leg injury that ended his season.
You can see Bell’s highlight tape below, via Hudl:
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
