Stunner on the Trail: 5-Star QB Jared Curtis Picks Georgia Over Oregon in Recruiting Shocker After Weeks of Visits and Drama
In a move that sent shockwaves across the college football world, five-star quarterback Jared Curtis has officially committed to the University of Georgia, ending one of the most dramatic recruiting battles of the 2026 class. The Nashville native, ranked as one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, chose the Bulldogs over the Oregon Ducks after months of speculation, campus visits, and intense deliberation.
Curtis, a 6-foot-3.5, 225-pound signal-caller from Nashville Christian School (TN), had fans and analysts alike guessing until the very end. Widely considered a game-changing dual-threat quarterback with elite arm talent and mobility, Curtis had previously been committed to Georgia early in the recruiting cycle before decommitting in late 2024, reopening the door for other powerhouse programs to jump in.
Among the suitors, Oregon emerged as Georgia’s most formidable challenger. The Ducks rolled out the red carpet for Curtis, hosting him for multiple high-profile visits, complete with meetings with head coach Dan Lanning, offensive coordinator Will Stein, and some of the program’s top current and former players. By mid-February, the recruitment had become a two-horse race between Athens and Eugene.
Speculation reached a fever pitch after Curtis’s back-to-back visits in March, with many insiders believing Oregon had taken a narrow lead following his stop in the Pacific Northwest. The Ducks’ explosive offensive scheme and their recent success in developing quarterbacks had Curtis genuinely intrigued. Reports even suggested that Oregon’s staff believed they were in prime position to land the coveted quarterback.
However, the tide quietly began to shift. Sources close to Curtis say that throughout the process, his connection with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo remained strong. The Bulldogs never stopped recruiting him—even after the decommitment—and maintained consistent communication with his family. Behind the scenes, Georgia’s coaches were laying the groundwork for a potential return.
“I had to trust my heart and go where I felt the most at home,” Curtis said during his announcement. “Georgia has always been special to me. The coaching staff, the culture, and the way they develop quarterbacks—everything just felt right.”
Curtis’s decision is monumental for Georgia’s 2026 recruiting class, which already features several elite prospects. His commitment instantly boosts the Bulldogs’ national ranking and cements their reputation as one of the premier destinations for top-tier quarterback talent. With current starter Carson Beck expected to move on after the 2025 season, Curtis will likely have a clear path to compete for the starting role in the coming years.
On the other side, Oregon is left regrouping. While they remain in the mix for other highly regarded quarterback prospects, missing out on Curtis is a significant blow. The Ducks had invested considerable time and effort into his recruitment and were seen as a serious contender until the final moments.
Still, Oregon’s staff remains optimistic. “Recruiting never stops,” said a source within the program. “We swung for the fences with Jared. Now it’s about moving forward and finding the right guy to lead this offense.”
For Curtis, the decision ends a whirlwind journey that captivated recruiting followers nationwide. With his future now firmly set in Athens, all eyes will be on how he transitions to the college game and whether he can live up to the lofty expectations that come with being a five-star quarterback in the SEC.
One thing is clear: Georgia just landed a cornerstone for its future—and they did it in dramatic fashion.
