Skip to main content
Texas

Before his Texas official visit, Dia Bell looks to shine at Elite 11

Joe Cookby: Joe Cook06/17/25josephcook89
dia bell e11

Elite 11 is an annual quarterback competition that brings the top prep signal-callers in the nation to one place to determine who can display their skills in various on- and off-field challenges to determine the top 11 quarterbacks entering the upcoming high school football season. 2026 Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage quarterback and five-star Texas commit Dia Bell is in Los Angeles to compete with the nation’s top quarterbacks before heading to Austin this weekend for his official visit.

[Sign up for Inside Texas TODAY and get the BEST Longhorns scoop!]

Bell earned his invite after competing at the Austin Elite 11 regional in March.

“The Elite 11 is a huge thing for quarterbacks, so it is an honor for me to be in the Finals this week,” Bell told On3’s Chad Simmons earlier 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.

“As a recruit, you want to be a top guy, so being in the Elite 11 Finals means I get to compete with the best. Being invited and being able to compete means a lot.”

Bell also told Simmons that he is still being pushed and recruited by Ohio State, Oregon, and LSU. But he mentioned he’s locked in and doesn’t plan to visit another school or make another decision “unless something drastic happens at Texas.”

Bell’s focus next week is to recruit top targets like John Turntine, Kaydon Finley, and others who will be making their way to Austin for official visits. But first, Elite 11 in the Los Angeles area beckons.

On3 will have full coverage of the event. On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power wrote this about Bell before the week’s festivities:

Dia Bell (No. 4 in the On300) is the highest-rated Elite 11 finalist in the On300 and the lone On3 five-star in attendance. The 6-foot-2.5, 220-pounder is a well-rounded prospect who may be the safest quarterback in the cycle. The son of former NBA veteran Raja Bell is a clean, mechanically sound passer. Bell touts a live arm with the ball jumping out of his hand. He’s a rotational thrower and consistently delivers with accuracy. Bell made impressive progress as a junior at Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage, flashing budding playmaking ability while playing tough competition. He turned in a strong day at the Elite 11 Austin regional. and could be primed for another positive showing in Los Angeles.

Bell had the top performance among Elite 11 contenders at the regional events, according to On3. As On3’s Cody Bellaire said, “he has every opportunity to walk out of the Elite 11 Finals as the top passer at the event.”

Texas quarterbacks who were named to the Elite 11 in the past include Vince Young (2001), Jevan Snead (2005), Garrett Gilbert (2008), Jerrod Heard (2013), Shane Buechele (2015), Sam Ehlinger (2016), Hudson Card (2019), Maalik Murphy (2021), and K.J Lacey (2024).

Quinn Ewers also earned a spot in the Elite 11 in 2021.

[Order THE LONGHORN ALPHABET today and teach your little ones the A to Z’s of Texas Football!]

Bell is ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect, the No. 2 quarterback, and the No. 1 player in Florida in the On3 Industry Ranking. On3 ranks Bell as the No. 4 overall prospect, the No. 2 quarterback, and the No. 1 player in Florida.

You may also like