Georgia Bulldogs Star Curtis Says He’s Staying Because He Wants a Real Shot at a National Championship Run

Curtis Jenkins isn’t one to run from a challenge. As the Georgia Bulldogs gear up for another season with national title aspirations, the star defensive lineman made one thing clear: he’s not going anywhere. Amid a college football world that’s rapidly changing with the transfer portal, NIL deals, and early NFL Draft declarations, Curtis is betting on himself—and on Georgia.

“I came to Georgia to win, and I’m not leaving until we do it again,” Curtis said during summer workouts in Athens. “I want a chance at a championship. I believe we can get one, and I want to be a big part of it.”

That mindset—steady, determined, and deeply rooted in the culture built by head coach Kirby Smart—echoes what’s become a hallmark of Georgia football in the past decade. After winning back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022, the Bulldogs narrowly missed the College Football Playoff last season. That left a bitter taste in the mouths of players like Curtis, who know the standard in Athens isn’t just about winning the SEC—it’s about winning it all.

Curtis, now entering his junior season, has grown into one of the most respected voices in the Bulldogs’ locker room. A 6-foot-5, 285-pound mauler on the interior line, he’s been a constant disruption to opposing offenses, combining elite technique with relentless effort. Despite speculation that he might test the transfer waters or begin prepping for the 2026 NFL Draft, Curtis doubled down on his commitment to Georgia and its championship mission.

“I had people in my ear, of course. Some folks said I could go somewhere else, maybe get more attention, or cash in,” Curtis admitted. “But at the end of the day, that’s not me. I’m loyal to this team. We’ve built something special, and I want to see it through.”

That team-first mentality is exactly what Kirby Smart covets in his program. Known for being one of the nation’s top recruiters and developers of defensive talent, Smart was vocal in his praise for Curtis following spring camp.

“He’s a warrior,” Smart said. “Curtis plays with an edge, but he’s also one of the most coachable guys we’ve had come through this building. His leadership has been off the charts. The younger guys watch how he works. He’s all business, and he’s hungry.”

Hungry is the right word.

Georgia has all the pieces for another title run—an elite defense, a maturing quarterback room, and a stacked backfield. What the Bulldogs needed, according to players and coaches alike, was an emotional anchor. Curtis appears to be that guy.

“He’s the firestarter in the locker room,” said fellow defensive tackle Zion Beckett. “Before every game, before every workout—even before a film session—Curtis sets the tone. He makes us believe we’re the best defense in the country, and then he goes out there and proves it.”

It’s a bold claim, especially after last season’s narrow loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, a result that kept Georgia just outside the final College Football Playoff rankings. That loss, players say, fueled an intense offseason of soul-searching and recommitment. For Curtis, it added fuel to a fire that never really went out.

“I can still see that scoreboard,” Curtis said. “We weren’t supposed to be watching the playoff from home. I felt like I let my brothers down. That’s not a feeling I ever want again.”

His return gives Georgia one of the most formidable defensive interiors in the nation. Scouts already see Curtis as a high-round draft pick, with many comparing his game to NFL veterans like Chris Jones and Fletcher Cox. But Curtis has more on his mind than just sack totals and scouting grades.

“I want to walk off that field holding that trophy,” he said. “I’ve seen what it means to win it all. I watched Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, and those guys do it. Now it’s our turn.”

Georgia’s schedule sets the stage for such a run. Key matchups with Tennessee, Texas, and Alabama loom large, but the Bulldogs have the depth, coaching, and experience to navigate it. With Curtis anchoring the defense, Smart’s unit is expected to be one of the most disciplined and dangerous in the country.

What makes Curtis even more valuable to Georgia, however, is his influence beyond the field. He’s taken on a mentorship role with the incoming freshmen, helping ease their transition into one of college football’s most demanding programs.

“It’s not just about me anymore,” Curtis said. “When I was a freshman, older guys looked out for me—taught me what it meant to wear that ‘G’ on your chest. Now it’s my turn to do the same.”

His message to the new class?

“Put the team first. Work like your job is on the line every day. And remember that every snap matters.”

It’s the kind of mindset that wins championships—and Curtis Jenkins knows that better than most. For him, the journey isn’t just about personal accolades or draft stock. It’s about legacy. About pride. About finishing what he started.

“Georgia gave me everything,” he said. “The least I can do is give it my all, one more time.”

With Curtis in the fold, Georgia’s defense will once again be a force that no offense wants to face. And in a college football landscape full of uncertainty and turnover, his loyalty—and his hunger for a title—stand out like a beacon.

As summer gives way to fall, the Bulldogs know what’s at stake. And with players like Curtis leading the charge, no one in Athens is backing down from the pressure.

“We’re not running from expectations,” Curtis said. “We’re running toward them. All gas, no brakes. This is the year.”

And if Georgia does indeed reclaim its spot at the top of the college football world, you can be sure Curtis Jenkins will be right in the middle of it—just like he always planned.