If you think being a top high school quarterback is all glamor, Jared Curtis might change your mind. The highly-rated 6’4″ quarterback from Nashville is juggling prom, a multimillion-dollar future, and two of college football’s biggest powerhouses—Georgia and Oregon. The spotlight on his recruitment has been intense, and recently, things took an unexpected turn.
Curtis, ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2026 class, recently missed a key visit to Georgia’s G-Day event, choosing instead to attend his prom. This move raised eyebrows across the recruiting world, especially since Georgia was hoping to make a final impression before his May 5 commitment decision. Not only that, but Curtis also saw his NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) valuation drop by $51,000, despite still being valued at $2.7 million overall.
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Originally committed to Georgia in March 2024, Curtis backed out of that pledge later in the year. Since then, Oregon has made a strong push. A visit to Eugene—where he watched the Ducks dominate Maryland—reportedly impressed him. The Ducks’ quarterback-friendly system and substantial NIL backing, helped by Phil Knight’s influence, have made them a serious contender. But Georgia’s not out yet. Curtis has deep-rooted ties to the Bulldogs and has visited Athens more times than most recruits.
The cancellation of his Georgia visit stirred debate. Some say skipping G-Day signals that he may be drifting away from Georgia, while others see it as just a personal decision. His camp insists that money isn’t the top priority. His agent said the focus is on choosing the right fit; once that’s done, the financial side will follow. That suggests Curtis is thinking long-term—NFL potential, team culture, and development over immediate NIL cash.
Curtis’ family is also split. His mother had positive things to say about Oregon but also acknowledged their strong connections to Georgia. Oregon might be gaining ground, but Georgia still has loyalty and familiarity on its side.
As of now, there’s no official prediction for where Curtis will land. On3 gives Oregon a slight edge in the odds (54% to Georgia’s 37%), while some analysts at ESPN believe Georgia will ultimately win out due to their long-standing relationship with Curtis and expected NIL efforts in response to past recruiting misses.
Whether it’s Georgia or Oregon, landing Curtis will be a massive win. As for Curtis himself, navigating prom, high-stakes recruitment, and national attention seems to be just another day in the life of one of football’s most sought-after young talents. May 5 will be the date everyone’s watching.