Now, this is not something that college football fans expected from the top quarterback prospect in the nation, 5-star Jared Curtis. The season was yet to drop curtains when the top quarterback in the Class of 2026 walked back on his commitment to Kirby Smart and Georgia. So it was expected that Curtis would opt out of any other program. After all, he had a buffet of offers from six top schools on his table. But who would have thought that Curtis would hit the U-turn and go back to his old home, Athens? And amidst this recommitment move, he takes up an important role in the recruiting race. And it involves none other than the 5-star offensive tackle, Jackson Cantwell, who is yet to finalize his next home. Meanwhile, for the Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning, woes come in big hampers.

Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo has been busy on the trail visiting some important 2026 prospects. So, it was obvious that he wanted to chase down Curtis. After all, the quarterback had etched his name in the record book. Coming up with 7,665 passing yards in just 37 games, oh boy! Amidst the programs going gaga over Curtis, Smart’s program did not have much to woo, as they had been his old school. And analyst Rusty Mansell had already predicted it, “I’ve been really consistent on this one. He has some really really pro-Georgia people in his circle. I mean, there are some people that really want him at Georgia. There’s some people that really believe in Mike Bobo.” As per the reports, Curtis had given his word to the Bulldogs in March 2024.

But later on changed his mind in October. The 5-star quarterback had then released a statement, “When I first committed to Georgia, I wasn’t fully aware of what was to come, including the other options I’ve been truly blessed to have but could not consider.” Turns out that there has been a change of plan…

The No. 2 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class has re-committed to the Bulldogs, announcing his decision on Monday, May 5 afternoon. However, Smart and co. still has some unfinished business on the recruiting trail. Like Curtis, the Bulldogs are also chasing hard to hunt down 5-star offensive tackle and the No.1 player in the country, Cantwell. Here comes some inside scoop that raises the excitement meter for Bulldogs fans. As Georgia insider Jeff Sentell tweeted on May 5, “Perhaps some news here.” What’s the news? 

He wrote, “Get that head on a swivel @jcantwell249  on your trip to Athens. The newest ‘Dawg @Jaredcurtis37 is coming for you.” The video featured Curtis, who is hit with a question. “Jared, I hear a 5-star tackle coming here in his weekend in Athens, what are your plans for your next visit to Georgia?” Turns out that the confirmed 5-star in Georgia [Curtis] is going to make sure the probable 5-star in Georgia [Cantwell] confirms Georgia as his next address. As Curtis replied, “Oh, I didn’t have anything planned for this weekend. But I’m probably gonna make a special drive up to Athens, and try to land Jackson. Let’s get Jackson get to work.”

Now, is this a hint that Cantwell, too, is landing in Athens? If so, one person must be looking to go into hibernation mode. That’s none other than the Oregon Ducks head coach, Lanning.

Another curveball coming in Dan Lanning’s way after the Jared Curtis miss

There was a time when the Oregon Ducks’ head coach got tagged as the recruitment guru. Lanning’s momentum on the recruiting trail carried into year three, with the Ducks’ 2024 recruiting class ranking as the best in the Big Ten and No. 3 in the nation. But the night has changed too fast for him. Thanks to Smart’s Georgia. Curtis, for example, had placed the Ducks on the pedestal after his decommitment from Athens. And remember what the QB said back in October? 

“My interest in Oregon is above the others right now. It’s my relationship with Coach Stein and Coach Lanning. It’s great, and we had a great time when we went up there.” While the Ducks were still chasing Curtis, they landed with another blow…

On Friday, February 21, 2026, New Lenox (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East quarterback Jonas Williams backed off of his commitment to the Ducks. But this turned out to move Lanning closer to their Curtis dreams. However, someone chose to pull up the reverse gear, returning to Georgia. Oregon is yet to wrap its mind around the Curtis news. That’s when the quarterback’s warning to bring Cantwell in spreads salt on their fresh wounds. 

Jackson Cantwell had expressed his wish to visit Eugene again. He shared the reason with Steve Wiltfong. “It’s an opportunity to check out Eugene one more time and to make sure Oregon is what I remember it as.” At the same time, the No.1 player in the country came up with a special message for Jared Curtis after his commitment. “Congratulations 🤝 @Jaredcurtis37.” Read between the lines, and it screams Georgia. Poor Dan Lanning!