The battle for Jared Curtis has officially reached fever pitch, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The five-star quarterback phenom from Nashville Christian is the most sought-after gunslinger in the 2026 recruiting class, and college football’s biggest programs are locked in a high-stakes war to land his commitment. With a staggering 7,665 passing yards in just 37 games, Curtis is already being hailed as a future superstar.
But while Alabama, Oregon, Ohio State, South Carolina, and Auburn are all making aggressive pushes, one SEC powerhouse refuses to back down—the Georgia Bulldogs.
Kirby Smart’s program already had Curtis in their grasp once. He initially committed to Georgia in March 2023 before decommitting in October, throwing the entire recruiting race into chaos. But this time, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo is leading an all-out charge to bring the prized QB back to Athens.
And if recent developments are any indication, Georgia may just have the upper hand.
Georgia’s Secret Weapon: Mike Bobo’s Relentless Pursuit
Cousin Shane and Rusty Mansell of DawgsHQ recently dissected Curtis’ recruitment saga on That SEC Football Podcast, and one name kept coming up—Mike Bobo.
“I’ve been really consistent on this one,” Mansell said. “He has some really, really pro-Georgia people in his circle. There are people that really want him at Georgia. There are people that really believe in Mike Bobo.”
That belief could be the deciding factor. Curtis has no shortage of elite options, but Georgia offers something other schools can’t—a clear path to the starting job and an offensive coordinator who knows how to develop NFL-caliber quarterbacks.
Bobo, a former Bulldogs quarterback himself, mentored legends like Matthew Stafford and David Greene and helped lead Georgia to a fourth-place finish in yards per play and fifth in scoring last season. His track record speaks for itself, but his recent recruiting efforts have been even more impressive.
“Back in January, both Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo made multiple trips to visit Jared Curtis,” reported 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong. “Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo spent nine hours with Curtis and his family on a recent in-home visit.”
Nine hours. That’s not just a visit—it’s a full-scale recruitment mission.
And Georgia isn’t the only one taking notice.
The Negative Recruiting Storm: Rivals Target Georgia’s OC
Georgia’s competition isn’t just trying to sell Curtis on their own programs—they’re actively planting doubts about Georgia’s coaching staff.
According to Rusty Mansell, rival recruiters have been pushing a narrative that Mike Bobo’s tenure at Georgia is uncertain, hoping to sway Curtis away from Athens. But those rumors have fallen flat.
“I did talk to some of his family recently, and they’re like, ‘Look, schools were negative recruiting, saying that Mike Bobo’s not going to be there. And Mike Bobo’s there,’” Mansell revealed.
That kind of coaching stability could be a game-changer. Curtis’ decision will likely come down to trust—not just in a program’s reputation, but in the people who will shape his future. And right now, Georgia is doing everything in its power to prove it’s the right place for him.
Georgia’s Future QB Room: A Perfect Fit for Curtis?
Timing is everything in recruiting, and Georgia’s current quarterback situation could play right into Jared Curtis’ hands.
With Carson Beck transferring to Miami and Gunner Stockton set to start for the Bulldogs this season, Georgia needs an elite QB for the future. They already secured a commitment from four-star Ryan Montgomery in the 2025 class, but Curtis would be the crown jewel of their long-term plans.
And Georgia isn’t wasting any time securing their next wave of elite talent.
- The Bulldogs already have five early commitments in their 2026 recruiting class, including four-star WR Vance Spafford, S Zech Fort, and CB Jontavius Wyman.
- Adding Jared Curtis to the mix would not only solidify Georgia’s dominance but send shockwaves through the entire SEC.
The Recruiting Showdown: Who Will Win the Curtis Sweepstakes?
The race isn’t over yet. Curtis is set to take official visits to Georgia, South Carolina, and Oregon on June 13, and each program will be pulling out all the stops.
Kirby Smart’s biggest competition?
- Alabama: Nick Saban may be gone, but Alabama’s QB pedigree speaks for itself.
- Oregon: The Ducks have NIL firepower and a long history of high-flying offenses.
- Ohio State: The Buckeyes have produced NFL-ready QBs for years.
- South Carolina & Auburn: Both programs are making a serious push to steal Curtis away.
But Georgia has something no other school does—a second chance to close the deal.
Final Verdict: Will Curtis Return to Athens?
Jared Curtis has the football world at his feet, and his final decision could reshape the college football landscape.
Georgia has pulled out all the stops—Mike Bobo’s relentless pursuit, a QB-friendly system, a clear pathway to starting, and a roster stacked with elite talent. But can they convince Curtis to shut down his recruitment for good?
The Bulldogs once had him in the bag, only to watch him slip away.
Now, with the finish line in sight, can Mike Bobo and Kirby Smart bring their five-star quarterback back home?
One thing’s for sure—this recruiting battle is far from over.
