Georgia football is making waves in the 2026 recruiting cycle, and five-star quarterback Jared Curtis is at the center of it all. After committing to the Bulldogs earlier this month, Curtis has wasted no time stepping into a leadership role, actively recruiting other top prospects to join him in Athens. His latest target? Five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2026 class [A](https://www.sportstalkatl.com/jared-curtis-hoping-to-recruit-five-star-jackson-cantwell-to-georgia/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTDRTZ2ttTnY3Q1E0YW1WYUFEVWV1IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNwb3J0c3RhbGthdGwuY29tXC9qYXJlZC1jdXJ0aXMtaG9waW5nLXRvLXJlY3J1aXQtZml2ZS1zdGFyLWphY2tzb24tY2FudHdlbGwtdG8tZ2VvcmdpYVwvIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiN3dDUGlCbWNMaUEzM2ZaNlc4WWlaIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Curtis, ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect and the top quarterback in the nation, has already made a significant impact on Georgia’s recruiting efforts. His commitment was a major win for head coach Kirby Smart and his staff, but Curtis isn’t stopping there. He has taken it upon himself to help build Georgia’s 2026 class into one of the best in the country. His efforts to recruit Cantwell highlight his determination to bring elite talent to Athens and solidify Georgia’s dominance in college football [A](https://www.sportstalkatl.com/jared-curtis-hoping-to-recruit-five-star-jackson-cantwell-to-georgia/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTDRTZ2ttTnY3Q1E0YW1WYUFEVWV1IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiN3dDUGlCbWNMaUEzM2ZaNlc4WWlaIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNwb3J0c3RhbGthdGwuY29tXC9qYXJlZC1jdXJ0aXMtaG9waW5nLXRvLXJlY3J1aXQtZml2ZS1zdGFyLWphY2tzb24tY2FudHdlbGwtdG8tZ2VvcmdpYVwvIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Cantwell, a towering 6-foot-8, 300-pound offensive tackle from Nixa, Missouri, is widely regarded as a generational talent. His combination of size, strength, and technique makes him one of the most coveted prospects in the nation. With offers from top programs like Oregon, Ohio State, and Miami, Cantwell has plenty of options. However, Curtis is working hard to ensure that Georgia is his final destination [B](https://ugawire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/bulldogs/recruiting/2025/05/07/georgia-football-jared-curtis-recruiting-jackson-cantwell-uga/83500086007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC91Z2F3aXJlLnVzYXRvZGF5LmNvbVwvc3RvcnlcL3Nwb3J0c1wvY29sbGVnZVwvYnVsbGRvZ3NcL3JlY3J1aXRpbmdcLzIwMjVcLzA1XC8wN1wvZ2VvcmdpYS1mb290YmFsbC1qYXJlZC1jdXJ0aXMtcmVjcnVpdGluZy1qYWNrc29uLWNhbnR3ZWxsLXVnYVwvODM1MDAwODYwMDdcLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6Ijd3Q1BpQm1jTGlBMzNmWjZXOFlpWiIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJMNFNna21OdjdDUTRhbVZhQURVZXUifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
The timing of Cantwell’s recruitment is particularly intriguing. He recently visited Georgia, just days before his scheduled commitment announcement on May 13. During his visit, he spent time with Curtis, further fueling speculation that the Bulldogs are in prime position to land the elite offensive lineman. Curtis has been vocal about his desire to have Cantwell protecting his blindside for years to come, and his efforts to recruit him have not gone unnoticed [B](https://ugawire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/bulldogs/recruiting/2025/05/07/georgia-football-jared-curtis-recruiting-jackson-cantwell-uga/83500086007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTDRTZ2ttTnY3Q1E0YW1WYUFEVWV1IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiN3dDUGlCbWNMaUEzM2ZaNlc4WWlaIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvdWdhd2lyZS51c2F0b2RheS5jb21cL3N0b3J5XC9zcG9ydHNcL2NvbGxlZ2VcL2J1bGxkb2dzXC9yZWNydWl0aW5nXC8yMDI1XC8wNVwvMDdcL2dlb3JnaWEtZm9vdGJhbGwtamFyZWQtY3VydGlzLXJlY3J1aXRpbmctamFja3Nvbi1jYW50d2VsbC11Z2FcLzgzNTAwMDg2MDA3XC8ifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Georgia’s recruiting strategy has always been aggressive, and Curtis’s involvement adds another layer to their approach. His ability to connect with fellow recruits and sell them on the vision of playing for the Bulldogs is a testament to his leadership qualities. If Georgia can secure Cantwell’s commitment, they will have successfully landed the top quarterback
