Texas 5-star QB commit Dia Bell inks NIL deal with Gatorade

Shortly after committing to Texas last year, Dia Bell signed his first NIL deal. Now, he’s adding another notable partnership to his portfolio.

Bell has inked an agreement with Gatorade. The partnership comes after he was named the 2024 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year as he threw for 2,597 yards and 29 touchdowns. He now joins Florida quarterback DJ Lagway as players from the state to win the award and sign a deal with Gatorade.

As he gets ready for his senior season at Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage, Beck’s $927,000 On3 NIL Valuation is one of the highest in high school football. His agreement with Gatorade is his second NIL deal after signing with Leaf Trading Cards two months after his commitent.

Bell is one of the top quarterbacks from the 2026 cycle and received an invitation to the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles this summer. A five-star prospect, he is the No. 14 overall player and top recruit from the state of Florida out of the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. In the updated On300 released last week, Bell came in as the No. 4 overall prospect and No. 2-ranked quarterback.

Off the field, Bell is one of the highest-profile high school football players and is setting himself up for NIL success at the next level. His $927,000 On3 NIL Valuation ranks No. 4 in the high school football NIL rankings.

Dia Bell scouting report

Dia Bell is the crown jewel of Texas’ 2026 recruiting class. The Longhorns have four commitments so far and currently sit at No. 12 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. Bell is the lone five-star so far, but gives Steve Sarkisian one of the top quarterbacks out of the cycle.

“Precision passer with the arm talent, size, and athleticism to translate to college football and beyond,” On3’s Charles Power wrote. “Measured in at around 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with a 10-inch hand before his junior season. Mechanically clean with a smooth throwing motion that he replicates with consistency. Has polished footwork that is married to his upper body. Shows high-level arm talent, delivering well-placed passes to multiple levels of the field. A dangerous operator from the pocket. Able to evade pressure, reset his feet, and fire. Throws a pretty deep ball. Was a first-year starter as a sophomore and showed marked improvement while playing top competition as a junior. Flashed an added playmaking element and rushing component to his game down the stretch of his junior season. Ripped off long runs, including two 40+ yard touchdown runs against top programs.

“Completed 70.6% of his passes for 2,597 yards (11.4 yards per attempt) and 29 touchdowns against six interceptions in 2025. Also rushed for 561 yards and five touchdowns. Also has a basketball background. Is the son of long-time NBA veteran guard Raja Bell. The level of improvement displayed throughout his junior season should be taken as an encouraging sign of his long-term upside.”