What Jared Curtis Committing to Georgia Bulldogs Means for LSU Football’s Quarterback Future, Recruiting Strategy and SEC Aspirations
When 5-star quarterback Jared Curtis announced his commitment to the Georgia Bulldogs, it sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting world—and perhaps no program felt the ripple effect more than LSU. Curtis, a 2026 prospect from Nashville’s Ensworth High School, is widely considered one of the best quarterback recruits in the country. Ranked as the No. 1 overall QB in his class by multiple outlets, his decision to head to Athens could have significant implications for several programs, especially LSU, which was heavily involved in his recruitment. Now that Curtis is off the board, Brian Kelly and his staff are forced to adjust, reevaluate, and perhaps even accelerate their recruiting blueprint at the quarterback position and beyond.
To understand what this means for LSU football, it’s important to consider context. Curtis was a high-priority target for the Tigers. LSU had spent months building a relationship with him, offering early and often, and making him a centerpiece of their long-term recruiting pitch. For a program that is seeking stability and elite play at the quarterback position after the impending departure of Jayden Daniels and the ongoing development of Garrett Nussmeier, securing Curtis would’ve been both a symbolic and strategic win. Instead, Georgia—already riding the wave of national championship expectations and quarterback development prestige—landed him. That stings in Baton Rouge.
Curtis’s commitment could reshape LSU’s outlook in a few key ways. First, it alters the talent pipeline that LSU had hoped to establish at the most important position on the field. After Daniels departs for the NFL and Nussmeier takes the reins, LSU had positioned Curtis as a possible future face of the program. Losing him means the Tigers must now shift focus to other options, whether that’s doubling down on in-state prospects, targeting high-upside national recruits still uncommitted, or dipping into the ever-evolving transfer portal. With the SEC intensifying in competitiveness, especially with Texas and Oklahoma entering the fold, missing out on a talent like Curtis makes it more urgent for LSU to secure not just any quarterback, but the right one—someone who can lead them into the next era of the conference.
Second, Curtis choosing Georgia is more than just a win for the Bulldogs—it’s a statement of how far their recruiting operation has come. Georgia has now beaten out not just LSU but also Alabama, Tennessee, and several other blue bloods for an elite signal caller. For LSU, that’s a reminder that the margin for error in recruiting, especially in the SEC, is razor-thin. The Tigers will now need to reinforce their staff’s ability to close on top-tier targets and be ready with contingency plans when Plan A doesn’t materialize. LSU cannot afford to let one recruiting loss snowball into a narrative about falling behind in the SEC arms race.
What makes this development particularly significant is the changing dynamic of quarterback recruiting. Quarterbacks are committing earlier than ever. In the past, programs could count on mid-to-late junior year timelines, but today’s top signal callers often come off the board by the end of their sophomore season. Curtis committing in May 2025—nearly a full year and a half before he’s eligible to sign—is emblematic of that trend. That early timeline gives LSU less flexibility. Unless the Tigers already have another high-level quarterback lined up behind the scenes, they are now playing catch-up in a class that is quickly shrinking.
There’s also the emotional and psychological component. Recruiting is as much about momentum and perception as it is about tape and numbers. LSU had spent months selling Curtis on a vision: being the next great quarterback to thrive in Baton Rouge, following in the footsteps of Daniels, Joe Burrow, and others. That message wasn’t enough. Now, recruits around the country are watching. If LSU can’t close on a player they prioritized as much as Curtis, what does that say about the program’s trajectory? That’s the question LSU must answer in its future recruiting battles.
Still, all is not lost for LSU. While Curtis is a major talent, the 2026 class is still relatively open, and the Tigers have shown they can adapt quickly. Brian Kelly has proven to be an aggressive recruiter, both in high school and in the portal. If LSU doesn’t land another 5-star prep quarterback in this cycle, don’t be surprised if they pivot to the transfer market, where starting-caliber talent is always moving. That approach may lack the long-term upside of grooming a homegrown star like Curtis, but it can be effective in the short term—especially if LSU is confident in its offensive infrastructure and culture.
Furthermore, LSU still boasts young talent at the quarterback position. Nussmeier is poised to start in 2025 and has shown glimpses of high-end ability. Behind him, Rickie Collins and incoming freshman Colin Hurley represent intriguing developmental options. While none may possess the national acclaim of Curtis, each brings tools that can be nurtured within LSU’s system. The key will be development, patience, and perhaps most importantly, scheme continuity—something Kelly has emphasized since arriving in Baton Rouge.
From a broader perspective, Curtis’s commitment to Georgia underscores a shift in the recruiting geography of the SEC. For years, LSU has relied heavily on its ability to recruit nationally, but the rise of Georgia and the consistency of Alabama have made that strategy more difficult. LSU can still land national prospects, but to do so, it must be even more precise, persistent, and persuasive. Curtis was the kind of national player who could have been a program-defining addition. Losing him won’t derail LSU’s long-term plans, but it does highlight how competitive that space has become.
There’s also the question of whether Curtis’s decision might have a ripple effect on other recruits. Top wide receivers, offensive linemen, and running backs often follow elite quarterbacks. With Curtis headed to Georgia, don’t be surprised if the Bulldogs begin picking up commitments from skill players who want to catch passes from him. That’s another indirect hit to LSU. While the Tigers will surely adjust their pitch, they may now have to work harder to sell elite receivers on the idea of playing in Baton Rouge without a Curtis-type quarterback already committed.
Recruiting is a game of relationships, but also timing. LSU did plenty right in its pursuit of Jared Curtis. The staff built early contact, invested resources, and hosted him on meaningful visits. But sometimes, even a well-executed plan doesn’t result in a commitment. That’s the nature of modern college football, where NIL, proximity, depth charts, and momentum all factor into a player’s decision. Curtis’s commitment to Georgia might have come down to any number of those factors. What matters now is how LSU responds.
In the coming months, expect LSU to recalibrate its 2026 quarterback board. Other elite names are still available, and there’s always the possibility that someone previously off the radar will emerge during summer camps and junior seasons. The Tigers have been known to move quickly on rising prospects, and their reputation for producing NFL-ready quarterbacks remains intact. Curtis’s decision, while disappointing, is not the end of the story—it’s simply a new chapter that LSU must write with precision and urgency.
There is also the possibility that Curtis’s recruitment isn’t truly over. Verbal commitments are non-binding, and flips happen all the time. LSU, like any major program, knows how to keep communication lines open and evaluate whether a player’s stance might shift over time. That said, programs must operate on the assumption that a verbal commitment is solid—until proven otherwise. So while the door may not be completely shut, LSU’s best move now is to act as if it is and continue pushing forward.
Ultimately, Jared Curtis committing to Georgia is a major recruiting win for Kirby Smart and a gut check for Brian Kelly. For LSU, it’s an opportunity to reassess and reaffirm its direction—not just at quarterback, but as a recruiting power in the SEC. Losing Curtis doesn’t doom LSU, but it does raise the stakes. The Tigers must now respond with confidence, creativity, and clarity. What happens next may well define how successful this staff is at building a sustainable championship contender in an increasingly crowded and cutthroat college football landscape.
