Nation’s Top-Ranked 5-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Commits to Georgia Bulldogs, Picks Dawgs Over Alabama and Oregon State

The college football world just got a little louder—and a lot more interesting. Jared Curtis, the No. 1 quarterback in the nation for the class of 2026, has officially committed to the Georgia Bulldogs. In a decision that came down to a final three of Georgia, Alabama, and Oregon State, Curtis stunned many by pledging to head coach Kirby Smart and the powerhouse program in Athens.

Curtis’ recruitment was one of the most closely followed sagas in the 2026 cycle. With his rare combination of arm talent, mobility, leadership, and poise, Curtis has drawn comparisons to some of the best to ever play the position at the college level. Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 215 pounds, the Nashville, Tennessee native has showcased an elite skill set that had nearly every major program in the country battling for his signature. But on Friday morning, Curtis ended the suspense and announced that Georgia had won the sweepstakes.

“Georgia just felt like home,” Curtis said in his commitment video posted to social media. “Coach Smart, Coach Bobo, the whole staff—they’ve been all in on me from day one. I believe in the vision they have, and I want to be a part of it.”

For Georgia, the commitment is monumental. Already recruiting at an elite level under Smart, the Bulldogs have now secured what many are calling the most polished quarterback prospect in the country since Trevor Lawrence. Curtis is the kind of player who can elevate an entire recruiting class and send ripple effects throughout the college football landscape.

The Bulldogs’ pursuit of Curtis has been a priority for over a year. Despite stiff competition from both Alabama—long known as a quarterback powerhouse—and Oregon State, which made a surprise run in this recruiting cycle, Georgia never let up. Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo personally took the lead in Curtis’ recruitment, developing a close relationship with him and his family. That bond ultimately played a pivotal role in Curtis’ decision.

“Coach Bobo is the real deal,” Curtis said. “He knows the position better than almost anyone, and he really helped me see how I could grow there—not just as a quarterback, but as a person.”

Curtis’ commitment also says a lot about Georgia’s evolving identity. Once primarily known for its dominant defenses and power run game, Smart’s Bulldogs have quietly and steadily built an offensive juggernaut. The back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022 were anchored by balanced attacks, but Curtis signals a potential new era: a true quarterback-led offense that can light up the scoreboard.

As a junior at Nashville Christian School, Curtis threw for over 3,500 yards and 40 touchdowns, adding another 500 yards and eight scores on the ground. His ability to make off-platform throws, process defenses quickly, and lead his team in clutch moments made him a unanimous five-star prospect and the consensus No. 1 quarterback in the nation.

Curtis is also known for his football IQ, spending hours in the film room and mastering complex playbooks well beyond his years. His high school coach, Jeff Brothers, has long spoken about Curtis’ discipline and relentless desire to improve.

“What makes Jared special isn’t just the physical tools,” Brothers said. “It’s his work ethic. He lives in the film room, he’s constantly learning, and he has that unteachable quality—you can’t rattle him.”

Off the field, Curtis is seen as a leader, a role model in his community, and a young man with a sharp understanding of the spotlight he’s under. His maturity has been a theme in his recruitment, often drawing praise from college coaches and national recruiting analysts alike.

At Georgia, Curtis will arrive with the expectation to compete early, but the Bulldogs have the luxury of depth. Depending on how the next two seasons unfold, he could redshirt or step into a competitive quarterback room and push for playing time immediately. Regardless of the timeline, the Georgia staff sees Curtis as the future of the program.

His decision also deals a tough blow to the Bulldogs’ rivals. Alabama, which had been in steady communication with Curtis throughout the process, was seen as a strong contender until the final days. Nick Saban’s departure and Kalen DeBoer’s arrival had somewhat clouded the Crimson Tide’s direction at the quarterback position, and Georgia capitalized.

Oregon State’s presence in the final three may have surprised many casual fans, but the Beavers had been gaining ground with Curtis for months. Their pitch centered around the opportunity to be a foundational piece of their future, especially with new energy and facilities upgrades surrounding the program. But ultimately, the allure of playing for national titles and learning under Kirby Smart proved too much to pass up.

Curtis’ commitment could be a major domino in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Top receivers, offensive linemen, and even running backs now have a premier quarterback to link their future to in Athens. Already, multiple top-100 wideouts have mentioned Curtis by name as someone they would like to play with.

“Jared’s a leader, man,” said five-star receiver Julian Tate, another Georgia target. “He’s the type of guy you want to catch passes from. His commitment makes a big difference for guys like me.”

Georgia’s recruiting class, already inside the top five nationally, could now make a serious push for No. 1 with Curtis at the center. Beyond the rankings, it reaffirms the Bulldogs’ status as one of the premier programs in the country, capable of reloading rather than rebuilding—especially at the game’s most important position.

There’s also the SEC factor. In a league already stacked with quarterback talent, Curtis will join a conference that features elite-level defenders, rabid fanbases, and national title expectations year in and year out. It’s a gauntlet that only the most confident players sign up for—and Curtis appears eager for the challenge.

“I want to play against the best,” Curtis said. “You get that in the SEC. Iron sharpens iron, and I’m ready to go compete.”

For Georgia fans, this is a moment to savor. Not only have they landed the nation’s top quarterback, but they’ve also secured a player who seems to understand the magnitude of what it means to wear the red and black. The Bulldogs have been knocking on the door of becoming the true dynasty of the 2020s, and Curtis’ arrival could keep that door wide open well into the next decade.

As for Curtis, the spotlight only grows from here. Every snap of his senior season will be dissected. Every throw will be measured against the expectations that come with being the No. 1 overall player in the country. But if there’s one thing his journey has shown, it’s that Curtis is built for this.

Whether it’s orchestrating comeback wins on Friday nights in Tennessee or preparing to step under the lights at Sanford Stadium, Curtis has always played with a calm confidence and unshakable focus. That’s the kind of quarterback who changes the trajectory of programs.

In a recruitment filled with twists, speculation, and visits across the country, Curtis’ decision came down to trust and fit. And in Georgia, he found both.

“They believe in me,” Curtis said. “And I believe in them.”

With that, the Bulldogs landed the biggest fish of the 2026 cycle—and maybe the most impactful quarterback commitment in recent college football memory. Jared Curtis is heading to Athens. And the SEC just got another star.