What to know about Georgia football commit Jared Curtis before early signing day
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Georgia football commitment Jared Curtis might be the best high school football player in Nashville’s history, if you ask those who have been around the city a long time.
Curtis, regarded by many as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2026 class, has a college-ready arm, drawing comparisons to Matt Stafford. Curtis can also make plays on the run with his 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame.
Curtis’ recruitment has been a winding journey. He committed to Georgia and Kirby Smart, then decommitted, then re-committed.
Oregon was No. 2 behind Georgia at the time of his last commitment. Now, Vanderbilt football and Clark Lea are making a major push for him before the Dec. 3-5 early signing period.
Here’s everything you need to know about Curtis.
Explaining the Jared Curtis saga with Vanderbilt football, Georgia
Vanderbilt’s attempt to flip Jared Curtis has become the nation’s biggest recruiting story.
While he remains committed to Georgia, Curtis hasn’t spoken publicly about his recruitment in some time. It’s not clear where he stands.
But Vanderbilt has certainly gotten Curtis’ attention. Their courtship first surfaced the week of the Commodores’ game against Missouri on Oct. 25.
Curtis and Nashville Christian coach Jeff Brothers, a former Vanderbilt quarterback, attended a Vanderbilt practice together that week. It was a part of a professional shadowing assignment Nashville Christian gave its students, Brothers said. Curtis later attended the Missouri game.
The night before the game, Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo was on the sidelines for Nashville Christian’s 65-12 win over Ezell-Harding on Oct. 24. Curtis threw six TDs.
Everyone seemed to be buzzing about Curtis and the Commodores the following morning. Seconds into Nashville comedian Nate Bargatze’s “College Gameday” appearance, Bargatze made a pitch for Curtis to attend Vanderbilt. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit also brought up Curtis.
“It’s hard not to remind Jared Curtis how much I’d love for him to come to Vanderbilt,” Bargatze said. “We’re local kids. We’ll become best friends, bud.”
The Vanderbilt-Curtis buzz roared back a few weeks later. Multiple recruiting experts now believe Curtis intends on committing to Vanderbilt. Rivals recruiting reporter Steve Wiltfong and 247Sports reporter Tom Loy both logged official predictions that Curtis will flip from Georgia.
A source close to the situation told The Tennessean on Nov. 28 that while Curtis and Vanderbilt have spoken, the narrative that he will flip to the Commodores is inaccurate. The Vanderbilt staff had still not yet spoken with Curtis’ parents at that time, according to the source.
Adding to the story, Curtis moved his signing ceremony up to Dec. 3. He originally planned to hold it Dec. 5.
Jared Curtis 247Sports Composite ranking, statistics
Curtis is the No. 1 quarterback nationally and No. 4 player overall from the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
He totaled 3,467 yards of offense, 58 touchdowns and three interceptions last season, winning the Division II-A Mr. Football award and Gatorade Tennessee Player of the Year.
Curtis has thrown for 9,528 yards, 123 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in four seasons as the Nashville Christian starting quarterback. He’s also rushed for 2,199 yards and 48 TDs.
He is 127-of-195 passing (65%) for 1,863 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions this season, while missing more than two games with an ankle injury. He also has 536 yards rushing and 10 TDs and is a finalist for this year’s Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award. The awards will be presented on Dec. 9 at Nissan Stadium.
When does Jared Curtis play in TSSAA football playoffs state championship?
Curtis and Nashville Christian (12-0) will face USJ (11-1) in the DII-A state championship game on Dec. 4 in Chattanooga.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
He also contributes to The Tennessean’s high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Get to know Georgia commit Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt football target
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