Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns? They’re showing everyone that college football ain’t just about Saturdays. It’s about winning the recruiting arms race. While Georgia and Bama are busy stockpiling talent, Sark is showing he is a master recruiter in the SEC too. In fact, Texas just snagged the No. 1 recruiting class for 2025, beating out the big dogs. Sark’s secret sauce? Precision strikes, patience, and keeping those rivals in the rearview mirror. But hold up, because a plot twist might be brewing—a quarterback flip could be on the horizon.

Texas just hit a recruiting jackpot with five-star quarterback Dia Bell, the American Heritage standout. He’s all in on the Longhorns, folks. So much so, they’re the only school on his spring visit list. That’s a mic drop-level commitment. And get this: Bell just earned his fifth star and rocketed to No. 5 in On3’s 2026 rankings. This kid, son of NBA vet Raja Bell, put up monster numbers in 2024. Let’s be real: with his elite skills and sky’s the limit potential, he’s shaping up to be the next face of Texas football. Maybe even the next Manning to grace the Forty Acres. But here’s where things get interesting.

Dia Bell committed to Texas on June 17, 2024, but the Longhorns aren’t the only ones in the race anymore. According to On3’s Chad Simmons, powerhouse programs like LSU, Georgia, and Ohio State are making a push—and Bell is listening. However, of all the contenders, Georgia seems to be the biggest threat to Texas in this battle. So, this Kirby Smart vs. Steve Sarkisian recruiting showdown for this 2026 star? It’s just heating up.

But Texas fans don’t hit the panic button just yet. Bell isn’t planning to visit any other schools at this time. In a video clip from Chad Simmons’ X post, Bell was asked how strong his commitment to Texas feels. And his response said it all: “Feel very strong. I mean, I’ve been committed to them for feels like forever at this point, just getting ready to make sure I have a great senior year and get ready for the next level.” And what’s keeping him locked in? The Texas staff.

So, when’s he visiting Austin next? “I’m just figuring out spring day right now. I sure have my OV date soon, it should be June 20th weekend, but I’m still trying to figure out,” Bell said. While he’s locked in with the Longhorns, Simmons pressed him on how persistent other teams are in trying to lure him away—and who exactly is still in the mix. “Schools like LSU, Georgia, Ohio State are the three probably… I still take their call. I like to hear what they say,” Bell admitted. Smart move—keeping those coaching connections alive, just in case anything goes sideways. But when it comes down to it, his loyalty remains clear. “My heart is still in Texas, and it will be as long as Coach Sarkisian and [A.J.] Milwee are there,” he wrapped up.

Safe to say, Dia Bell is staying close to Texas—for now. But Georgia isn’t backing down. Kirby Smart and his staff are keeping tabs on Bell, leaving the door open for a potential flip. And they continuously want to show Bell their defensive and offensive growth, helping him understand where he fits best.

The QB has completed 161 of 228 passes for 2,597 yards. On the ground, he was just as dangerous—rushing 67 times for 561 yards. On top of that, he even had two 100-yard rushing performances in wins over St. Thomas Aquinas and Norland. Let’s be real: for powerhouse programs like Texas and Georgia, landing Bell isn’t just a win—it’s a game-changer.

While Bell’s destination remains uncertain, Sarkisian isn’t hitting the brakes. Rather than focusing on fleeting early successes, Texas is adopting a long-term strategy.

Steve Sarkisian assembling a Championship squad

Texas isn’t just chasing commitments—they’re playing chess while others play checkers. Fresh off snagging the No. 1 spot for 2025 class over Georgia, they’re aiming for a repeat performance in 2026. And their latest move? Targeting four-star RB Ezavier Crowell, who reclassified to the 2026 class. As of now, battling Bama and other powerhouses, the Longhorns are betting on patience over panic.

Well, they’ve already shown they can steal elite talent, flipping Georgia commit Justus Terry with a stronger NIL push. But it’s more than just signing stars—Sarkisian is assembling a coaching staff that knows how to turn raw talent into future legends.

Texas wasted no time filling the void left by Terry Joseph’s NFL departure, bringing back a familiar face—Duane Akina. Well, as a key figure during the Mack Brown era, Akina has a reputation for molding elite DBs. Now, his return couldn’t come at a better time. So, with the Longhorns eyeing another deep postseason run, Akina’s experience adds firepower to a defense that’s ready to dominate. Now, let’s see how Sarkisian thrives with his new squad in 2025.