Mentor vs mentee... Kirby vs Lanning... Georgia vs Oregon... the South-East vs the North-West... It has been some time since the Ducks faced the Bulldogs to open the 2022 season, and we last heard those words. While that matchup did not go in favor of Lanning and the Ducks, the recruitment of Jared Curtis could very well be.
Since that unfortunate Saturday, the Oregon program has not only changed, but also developed a clear identity, and have recruited like a national bully. Dan Lanning has exceeded the expectations of most Duck fans, but has just one missing piece to his elite recruiting history.
Georgia 2026 QB commit Jared Curtis breaks one tackle and delivers a vicious hit stick at the goal line https://t.co/7CVRobr8Mw pic.twitter.com/izwQdAPC0d
— Charles Power (@CharlesPower) October 12, 2024
He is Choosing Between Just two Schools
Jared Curtis is making his decision between Oregon and Georgia. The two coaches in this recruiting battle are closely connected, as Lanning was on coach Smart's staff at Georgia from 2018-2021. It is a refreshing recruitment to see just two schools involved.
He made the decision to pick between just Oregon and Georgia on February 22 of this year, and also cancelled official visits to South Carolina and Auburn.
BREAKING: Five-Star QB Jared Curtis is down to 2️⃣ Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) February 22, 2025
The Nation’s No. 1 QB has canceled his Official Visits to Auburn and South Carolina
He will only be taking OVs to Georgia and Oregonhttps://t.co/HsulXigmGC pic.twitter.com/R0Ycq1FNSH
The Ducks Have not Signed a Quarterback of Curtis' Ability Under Lanning
At least through the high school ranks... The Ducks have consistently brought in quarterback talent, including four-star recruits Luke Moga and Akili Smith Jr. While highly rated, they were not considered in the same regard that Curtis is. Depending which service you look at, he is either the fourth, third, or first quarterback in the class of 2026, the highest rating coming from ON3.
Quarterbacks have a special ability to draw fellow recruits to the team they commit to. We saw this last year with Akili Smith Jr. and Dakorien Moore, and have actively seen current Oregon commits encourage Curtis to join them in Eugene. Curtis' commitment could have a domino effect on the rest of this class. The number one overall player in the class of 2026, offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, hinted that he may follow Curtis to wherever he commits.
Jackson Cantwell’s instagram story. Both he and 5-star QB Jared Curtis are considering Oregon and Georgia for their commitments this month pic.twitter.com/xjmhyds12e
— Max Torres (@mtorressports) May 1, 2025
He was Once a Georgia Commit
Jared Curtis originally committed to Georgia in March of 2024. He looked set to become the next great Bulldog quarterback, and potentially join the ranks of Matthew Stafford and Stetson Bennett. In October of the same year, he de-committed from the Dawgs, and kept his options open.
BREAKING: Five-Star QB Jared Curtis has Decommitted from Georgia, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) October 17, 2024
The 6’4 220 QB from Nashville, TN had been Committed to the Bulldogs since March
Ranked as a Top 10 Recruit in 2026 (per On3)https://t.co/HsulXigmGC pic.twitter.com/8W5EAmOPSN
Where his Recruitment Stands
247Sports recruiting analyst Tom Loy said that "Jared might not know (where he is headed) until commitment day on Monday."
Decision Day for elite QB Jared Curtis is coming quickly.
— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) April 30, 2025
The coveted talent is expected to pick between @oregonfootball and @GeorgiaFootball on Monday at 4:30 pm CT.
Where will he land?
The latest VIP intel, including "Tom's Take": https://t.co/1SCiHGp1op@247Sports pic.twitter.com/S8cD1NqLrA
It has been a very close recruitment, with very vague intel coming from Curtis and insiders. This recruitment truly does feel like he is not sure of where he will end up until the second he chooses one of the schools.
It is worth noting that Oregon was the perceived leader in Curtis' recruitment, according to the quarterback himself, but this was all the way back in October 2024. Much could have changed in the time since, but obviously Oregon still has a great shot.