Florida Star Dia Bell Building Strong Relationships with Ohio State

PLANTATION, Fla. — Ohio State saw a wave of new quarterback offers go out this spring as new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly gets his feet underneath him. One of the more intriguing new offers was Plantation (FL) American Heritage star Dia Bell.

Bell camped with the Buckeyes last summer but was not offered by then quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis. Since Kelly’s arrival in Columbus, things have picked up in a big way between Ohio State and the Top 100 prospect in the 2026 class with Kelly offering a scholarship.

“My relationships with coach Kelly and coach (Riley) Larkin are really good relationships,” Bell said. “I make sure that I reach out weekly to coach Kelly or coach Larkin and make sure I stay in contact and keep building that relationship.”

Bell’s father, Raja Bell, had a long and successful career in the NBA. A career in athletics has added another layer to the relationship that the Bells are building with Kelly.

“I have a great relationship with (Kelly),” Bell continued. “Being able to talk to him, not even about football, but life in general. He knows a lot about my dad’s background (in the NBA) and they’ve been able to connect in that way too.”

The recent spring visit was a good opportunity for the big-time signal caller to get a different look at Ohio State than the one he got last summer in a camp setting.

“Their team is always great,” Bell stated. “Obviously Ohio State is always a Top 10 team. They always blow me out of the water every time I take a visit. Their facilities, the guys they have around the program, having somebody who came from Heritage in Brandon Inniss, being able to get feedback on what it’s like to play up there, it’s great having that connection.”

Bell added that he is still juggling his summer schedule but hopes to get back to Ohio State at some point.

Hear more from Bell from our one-on-one interview as part of our Southern Swing. How did a kid from a basketball family end up focusing on football? How much does geography play a role in his ultimate decision? Bell answers those questions and more.