High-profile schools are in the mix for elite 2026 QB Dia Bell as potential commitment looms
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage four-star quarterback Dia Bell has already emerged as one of the top signal-callers in the 2026 cycle.
While the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder is still gearing up for his junior season, his recruitment has already taken shape — and a decision could come in the near future. Bell told On3’s Chad Simmons earlier this month that he is considering making his commitment this summer.
“I feel like there are a couple schools that are already pretty strong,” Bell told On3. “I feel like there are a couple of schools that have solidified themselves pretty well. Then, there are some schools that I have to keep building the relationship with and see where that takes me with them.”
Bell is yet to release a list of his top schools, but there are some programs around the nation that have emerged as contenders for the No. 14 overall prospect and No. 2 QB in the 2026 On300. On3’s Steve Wiltfong joined ‘The Inside Scoop’ to give the latest on who he sees at the top of the pack in the race for Bell right now.
Three longtime standouts are in the mix
“The schools that I’ve identified right away early on in this process when I first started talking with Dia; it’s obvious he was high on Miami, it was obvious he’s high on LSU and it’s obvious he’s high on Penn State,” Wiltfong said.
Bell has returned to each of the three schools this year. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder has been on the road plenty this spring and has felt the love from each program he’s visited. Specifically, the coaching staffs in Coral Gables and Happy Valley have made an impact on Bell, according to Wiltfong.
“Miami, he talked about his excitement for the Hurricanes starting the day Coach (Mario) Cristobal got the job, he really likes Coach Dawson’s offense and he has said the most exciting thing about Miami is that they work hard to keep the local talent home. I think he thinks he can be a special player at Miami and help them get that program where they want to go,” Wiltfong said.
“Penn State, with Coach O’Brien and Coach Kotolnicki and certainly Coach Franklin, he feels close to several people in that building. He’s talked about the incredible fanbase, the atmosphere inside Beaver Stadium, I think he considers it the best in college football. It’s an offense where he thinks he can be creative and be dynamic under center for them.”
LSU offered Bell in February, and while the Tigers currently own a commitment from the 2025 No. 1 prospect and top QB Bryce Underwood, Brian Kelly and Co. are certainly interested in the 2026 signal-caller as well.
“LSU, talked about the great tradition, always competing for national championships, explosive offense with a track record of developing quarterbacks,” Wiltfong said. “We’ll see who LSU can land here in this cycle, they’re at or near the top of the list for Faizon Brandon — I probably like Tennessee there, but no question that LSU’s on the shortlist there. They landed Bryce Underwood in 2025, but LSU’s a place where you go and bet on yourself.”
Other big-time schools are after Bell
Bell has continued to rack up offers this spring. In a three-day span this March, he added Texas and Ohio State to his offer sheet. He was in Austin and Columbus that month, and both schools have caught his attention. The blue-chipper has already set a return visit with the Longhorns for June 1, too.
“Texas is an interesting school here, he had a really great visit when he was on campus in the spring, said the program is one of the best in the country. (Steve) Sarkisian and Coach A.J. Milwee, those are guys he can see himself playing for because of the way they develop quarterbacks and what they do offensively,” Wiltfong said. “He’s got that return visit locked in for early June and it doesn’t hurt that he’s good friends with Texas’ current QB commit K.J. Lacey.”
“Ohio State, he grew up liking them. Coach Day, competing for national titles. C.J. Stroud, some of the other guys he’s developed certainly rings a bell with him.”
While there’s plenty of life left in Bell’s recruitment, he appears to be ready to come off the board. Multiple high-profile schools remain in the mix as his potential summer decision looms.
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