‘He’s been groomed for this’: American Heritage’s Bell primed for a breakthrough year
Dia Bell has known what career path in sports he wanted to follow for some time.
Bell told his famous father, former FIU basketball and NBA standout Raja Bell, as much when he was 12 years old.
Although he plays basketball like his famous father did, playing football is something you could say Dia Bell has been groomed to do.
Bell, now a 6-2, 200-pound junior entering his second season as the starting quarterback at nationally-ranked Plantation American Heritage, is ready to take the next step in his evolution playing the position.
“Even before he started playing in the seventh grade, everyone was calling him ‘the next one,’” American Heritage coach Mike Smith said. “He’s somebody who’s taken a lot of steps this offseason from a preparation standpoint. But he’s always been a good preparer with his father being who he is. Where he’s really taken a step forward is in his leadership.”
Ever since 2024 began, it’s been a breakout year for Bell.
He’s displayed his skills throughout the offseason at camps and tournaments and is now rated the No. 2 quarterback in the nation among the class of 2026 by 247Sports’ composite rankings.
He recently committed to the University of Texas.
And this season, Bell will try to live up to the hype if he can lead the Patriots to their sixth state championship and first since 2020.
“The main thing is the main thing right now and that’s winning state championships at American Heritage,” Bell said. “I’m a junior so hopefully we can do it in back-to-back years.”
Bell threw a combined 33 passes in 13 games he appeared in over his eighth grade and freshman seasons backing up former Heritage starter Blake Murphy, who is now at Louisiana-Monroe.
Last season, Bell became a starter for the first time. After hearing questions about his readiness to assume such a role, Bell completed 122 of 189 passes for 1,929 yards and threw 20 touchdowns and four interceptions.
But Bell was unable to lead the Patriots past the final hurdle they couldn’t clear the prior season when they lost to Miami Central in the Class 2M state championship game. Heritage fell short again last season after a 16-13 home loss to eventual state champion Tampa Berkeley Prep.
The expectations are high again for the Patriots, who enter the season ranked No. 20 nationally by MaxPreps and facing one of their toughest schedules ever.
They’re even higher for Bell after an offseason in which he broke out as a prospect.
“He knows he has a bullseye on back with the Texas commit,” Smith said. “He’s built for it and he’s ready to go out and answer those questions about himself. He’s been groomed for it but that doesn’t matter. You have to go into that fire and get game reps.”
The pressure is something Bell said he’s been preparing for all offseason.
“I had to step into a leadership role and be a coach on the field making sure everything is run the way it’s supposed to be run,” Bell said. “My growth has taken an exponential step forward and I feel like this year it will only get larger and larger. I feel it’s been really good to be able to start my first year and grow off of that.”
Bell, who is also a standout guard on Heritage’s basketball team, learned how to remain even keel in games and in terms of his preparation from his father.
“I’ve never been a high or low type of guy in situations,” Bell said. “I’ve been even keel and been able to calm through the storm. I just have to make sure the guys around me can do that as well.”
Although Dia doesn’t have too many memories of his dad playing, he learned plenty of lessons from training with him growing up.
“Most of what (my dad) taught me was just the work ethic and to have a fire lit every day and have something to work on every day and get better at,” Bell said. “I’ve been able to use that to become a better quarterback. There’s a lot to learn from a pro athlete.”
Smith said the biggest change he’s seen in Bell comes from a mental standpoint and having a better grasp and ability to command the Patriots’ offense.
“I see a greater comfort level in him now,” Smith said. “The game is slowing down for him. He’s a complete QB now. He has a better feel for the whole operation. He’s been great at communicating with us. He’s a lot more decisive.
“He’s got more steps to go, but I see a better comfort level. One of the advantages of him being here since seventh grade. He’s been around this program and knows the standard and the expectations. He’s embraced being ‘the next one.’ He’s been groomed to do this.”
Leading the Patriots to a state title has been he and his teammates’ sole focus since last December’s painful loss in the state semifinals.
Heritage might have all the tools it needs to get it done.
Bell has an extremely talented group of receivers to throw the ball to, highlighted by juniors Brandon Bennett, Malachi Toney and Aldarius Johnson Jr. The Patriots should also be able to run the football well with senior Byron Louis returning to lead the backfield.
Senior defensive back Zae Thomas, an FSU commit, and senior defensive lineman Omarion Abraham both return to lead a stout defense as well.
“We didn’t end where we wanted to end so that left a fire in everyone’s stomach and we just know we have to win games,” Bell said. “I see a lot of people stepping up into their leadership roles among position groups and the farther we get this season the more that will grow and we should be able to win this thing.”
This story was originally published August 12, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
