The Penn State football team continues to build its roster through the area they know well, recruiting. But the focus is not just on the 2025 recruiting class. James Franklin and his coaching staff have started to target the top talent in the 2026 recruiting class as well. The Nittany Lions still hold one commitment in the 2026 cycle from ATH Messiah Mickens, but could Dia Bell be joining him soon? The son of former NBA veteran Raja Bell is set to visit Penn State next month.
Son of 12-year NBA veteran set to visit Penn State football
Although it is early in the cycle, Dia Bell is currently rated as the No. 2 quarterback prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. The four-star recruit and native of Fort Lauderdale, FL, holds offers from Miami, BYU, FIU, Utah, Arizona, Penn State, and several other schools.
According to 247Sports, Bell is coming off of a career year at American Heritage, where he threw for over 1,900 yards and 20 touchdown passes. 247Sports also reports that Bell will visit Penn State football in March.
If the meeting with Andy Kotelnicki and James Franklin goes well, Bell could be the quarterback of the future for the Nittany Lions.
Raja Bell’s career
Being the son of an NBA veteran certainly can boost your recognition. Penn State target Dia Bell is the son of Raja Bell who played in the NBA for 12 seasons. He played his college basketball at Boston University and FIU before turning pro where he played in the CBA before making it to the NBA.
During his NBA career Bell played for the 76ers, Mavericks, Jazz, Sun, Hornets, and the Warriors. He averaged 9.9 points per game and 2.8 rebounds per game throughout his NBA career and was named to the All-Defensive team twice in his career.
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