The calendar is flipping, and we are closer to begin the 2026 recruitment cycle. However, the first domino to fall, No. 1 quarterback prospect for 2026, Jared Curtis, is still weighing the scales over his two final choices in Oregon and Georgia. So far, everyone in his family, including himself, have only stated how difficult the choice is going to be for him. However, his vision is clear, “The factors when I make a decision will be the coaching staff, my relationship with the coaching staff and the class they bring in this year. Those and the class I would bring in with me would be the biggest things.” Here is a timeline of his college decisions so far-

• March 23, 2024: Curtis commits to the Bulldogs and Kirby Smart, informing On3 and The Tennessean as he notes, “I’m home! Go Dawgs🐶”
• October 18, 2024: Jared stepped back from Georgia with a tweet. He told Kirby and OC Mike Bobo over a call “I still love Georgia, but would like to take some more time to explore all my options so I can make the best, most informed decision for my future.”
• January 15, 2025: Jared finally reveals his final 6 options that included:  Ohio State, Georgia, Oregon, Auburn, Alabama, and South Carolina. But to knock them down, he also told On3’s Chad Simmons, “When official visits open up, I will get down on some visits, see the school and see what I like about it.”
• February 22, 2025: The top QB discloses his last two options that he will be considering as he plans on his collegiate career. The two remaining are his first choice in Kirby Smart’s Georgia and Dan Lanning’s Oregon.

There’s no doubt Jared Curtis will change the face of his destined program, whether it is the Ducks or the Bulldogs. But now, with barely four more weeks to go, it doesn’t look like Kirby Smart has the upper hand anymore.

According to UGA Football Live’s latest tweet, “5-star QB cancels Georgia visit ahead of commitment.” The Nashville Christian School star was bound to drop by Athens over the weekend for his final visit but is now pulling out. Curtis will instead choose to attend his high school prom, which is also slated for the same weekend.

It’s difficult to say how this would affect Smart because Curtis has been to Georgia plenty of times in the past. But his commitment date is less than a month away, which pits both Lanning and Smart in an intense battle.

The time we heard from Jared himself in February, he told On3’s Steve Wiltfong about the Ducks, “Since I de-committed (from Georgia) my relationship has got better and better. I can’t wait to go up there for my (official visit). I like Oregon a lot. I think they showcased their talents this year and shown teams what they can be. They just go out and fight.” 

At the same time, he was also full of praises for his first commitment, “My relationship with the coaches. Coach Bobo and (quarterbacks) coach (Montgomery VanGorder) most importantly. I think they’re a powerhouse and they have great coaches all around. They have the players up there and they’re very disciplined. I just love the consistency there and I think they just get better throughout the year. Georgia speaks for itself.”

The star QB has an impressive record to support the hype for him. Last season, he finished with 2,830 yards, 40 touchdowns, and a 70.2% pass completion percentage. At 6’4” and 225 lbs, he also possesses a great arm and mobility skills. “Not afraid to dial up the deep ball and tends to connect on plenty of vertical shots,” Andrew Ivins wrote for 247Sports.

If Jared goes with the Bulldogs, the Ducks do have a commitment from four-star, 6th overall ranked quarterback Jonas Williams. Lanning might also have some interest in Ryder Lyons who is also expected to be one of the top signal callers in the 2026 cycle. As for the Bulldogs, they have eyes set on a few quarterback prospects including four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley. But there’s no way either coach would rest easy when Curtis makes his choice.

Jared Curtis could be of immense use to Kirby Smart, the legend behind Carson Beck’s career. Though DawgsNation has been told that Curtis will employ a “fairness-based” tactic, the odds don’t look to be swinging toward Georgia’s favor. Is Dan Lanning going to be the ultimate victor of this battle?

Is Jared Curtis leaning towards Oregon?

Given how Curtis’ timeline is evolving, it also looks like he may ultimately land in Oregon. What’s worse is that Smart already had Curtis in the bag but he ended up decommitting last October. Wiltfong thinks that this move alone could be the final nail in the coffin for Smart.

The analyst said, “You know, I [feel] like oftentimes if [players] decommit from a school, it’s hard to get them back in today’s landscape.” The recruitment scene has become more volatile than before, especially with the dominance of NIL factors.

Now that he’s pulled out of a scheduled visit to Athens, the chances of Curtis going to Georgia are looking slim. He was last at Oregon for quite a long visit from March 8 to 12. And he had only good things to say about the program. He had visited Georgia right afterward, which seems to be his last visit anywhere.

Until May 5, both Dan Lanning and Kirby Smart will be on the edge of their seats. Jared Curtis will change the way the team builds their strategy. It’s a test of patience and time for both these coaches until the elite prospect announces where he is headed.