Texas’ future at quarterback received a lift as five-star recruit Dia Bell was named Most Valuable Player of the Elite 11 Finals on 19 June, becoming the first Longhorn commit to capture the showcase’s top honor. The Plantation American Heritage (Fla.) senior impressed coaches and scouts in Southern California by completing 18 of 23 passes for four touchdowns with no interceptions during the event’s 7-on-7 session. Bell’s award extends the Longhorns’ recent momentum at the position. This autumn the offense will be guided by redshirt sophomore Arch Manning, who is serving as a counselor at his family’s Manning Passing Academy in Louisiana this weekend. Manning, the preseason Heisman favorite, is reported to have name-image-likeness deals worth about $6.5 million, underscoring the commercial pull surrounding Texas’ starting quarterback. Rival programs continue to counterpunch on the recruiting trail. Texas A&M added four-star offensive linemen Zaden Krempin and Avery Morcho to its 2026 class this week, giving head coach Mike Elko two key building blocks up front. With Bell committed to Texas and the Aggies fortifying their protection unit early, the state’s recruiting battles are already intensifying two cycles ahead of signing day.