Georgia fans already knew that Jared Curtis had elite arm talent, leadership intangibles, and the kind of physical presence that makes scouts and coaches drool. What they might not have known—until now—is just how much of a force the five-star quarterback would be in shaping the Bulldogs’ recruiting momentum from the minute he committed. Curtis, the top-ranked quarterback in the 2026 class out of Nashville (Tenn.) Christian School, is not only planning to build something special in Athens. He’s recruiting the bricks himself.
Curtis’ pledge to the Bulldogs sent ripples throughout the recruiting world. While it was a statement in and of itself—Georgia had beaten out programs like Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, and Texas for a potential generational quarterback—the more immediate impact has come behind the scenes. Curtis hasn’t just gone quiet and let the staff do the talking. He’s picked up the phone. He’s slid into DMs. He’s connected with some of the nation’s top talent, and by all accounts, he’s already emerging as one of the most influential peer recruiters in the 2026 cycle.
Curtis knows the power that comes with his position. Quarterbacks always hold an outsized influence in a class, especially ones with his ranking and respect across the country. But what’s been most impressive to Georgia staffers and fellow recruits is how aggressive—yet genuine—Curtis has been in helping build the class around him. He’s not making empty pitches. He’s forming relationships. And based on feedback from 15 of the top remaining targets on Georgia’s board, it’s working.
Wide receiver Malachi Thomas, a fellow five-star out of Florida, admitted Curtis’ call took him by surprise—but left a lasting impression. “I knew of Jared, of course, but when he hit me up like that, it felt real,” Thomas said. “It wasn’t just, ‘Come to Georgia.’ It was like, ‘Let’s go win titles. Let’s be legends together.’ That hit different coming from him.”
Four-star tight end Jaylen Scott, who has been trending toward Georgia in recent weeks, confirmed that Curtis has already been vocal in team group chats. “Jared’s that dude,” Scott said. “You talk to him once, and you’re like, ‘Yeah, I’d play with him.’ He’s a natural leader. He’s already talking about how he wants to run camps with us this summer, throw routes, just start building that chemistry early. That’s rare.”
The buzz around Curtis isn’t limited to the offensive side, either. Defensive lineman Treyvon Harris, another consensus top-50 player in the class, said Curtis’ impact is felt in every corner of the 2026 group. “It’s not even about offense or defense,” Harris said. “Jared makes you want to play for Georgia. He makes it sound like this unstoppable machine, and he wants you to be part of it. I respect that. That gets your attention.”
The Bulldogs are no strangers to elite recruiting. Head coach Kirby Smart has built a national powerhouse through consistency, development, and relentless talent acquisition. But there’s something different—something faster—about how this 2026 class is starting to come together with Curtis at the helm. He gives Georgia a gravitational pull, not just because of his rating but because of his personality and vision. Several recruits mentioned that when Curtis speaks, it doesn’t feel forced. He’s not reading from a script. He’s recruiting as if he’s already part of the coaching staff.
“Jared talks like he’s the offensive coordinator already,” joked five-star running back Chris Henry from Texas. “He’s like, ‘This is how I see the offense, this is where I see you fitting in, this is what we can do together.’ Most dudes don’t even know what playbook they’re running in college yet. Jared’s already got schemes drawn up in his head. He’s serious.”
For Georgia, this is a massive advantage. With NIL, the transfer portal, and early commitments reshaping the recruiting landscape, the ability to lock in a centerpiece player this early—especially one who is actively driving peer-to-peer momentum—can be program-changing. Curtis isn’t just a recruiter; he’s becoming the face of the class. And that identity is something other blue-chip players are eager to align with.
Offensive lineman Jace Martinez, a 6-foot-6 tackle from Arizona, said Curtis’ recruitment style is what convinced him to book an official visit to Georgia this summer. “I wasn’t even sure I was going to go to the South, honestly,” Martinez said. “But Jared kept it real with me. He’s like, ‘We’re building something that’s not just SEC tough—it’s next level. Come be part of that.’ He didn’t have to say it twice.”
That sense of urgency is something Georgia’s coaching staff has picked up on as well. Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo reportedly praised Curtis in recent meetings not just for his physical tools, but for his role as a “tone-setter” in the class. Curtis is doing what former UGA stars like Jake Fromm and Brock Vandagriff did in past cycles, but he’s doing it earlier and arguably with a larger spotlight on him.
Several other recruits said Curtis’ social media presence has been key in getting their attention. Whether it’s tweeting at future teammates, resharing Georgia hype videos, or posting pictures of visits, Curtis is building the brand. And it’s working.
Cornerback Rashad Griffin, a top-100 talent from Virginia, said he’s had at least four conversations with Curtis since his commitment. “Jared’s persistent, but not annoying,” Griffin said. “He just keeps reminding you, ‘UGA is the move. We’re going to dominate.’ You feel that fire. And I like that.”
Perhaps the most important reaction came from five-star wide receiver Zion Hill, who’s widely regarded as Georgia’s top offensive target not yet committed. Hill said he’s spoken with Curtis multiple times and was impressed by how thoughtful and strategic he was. “It’s like he’s already thinking about how we’d connect on the field,” Hill said. “He’s asking what routes I like to run, how I like to be used in space. That tells me he’s serious. It’s not just a hype thing for him. He wants to win.”
In today’s landscape, winning the commitment of a quarterback like Curtis is about more than just Xs and Os. It’s about culture. It’s about sending a message to the rest of the country that Georgia isn’t just aiming to stay on top—it’s trying to evolve. With Curtis as the linchpin, the Bulldogs are looking like a team that could have one of the most complete and connected recruiting classes of the cycle.
Notably, Curtis’ energy and influence are reminding longtime Georgia fans of past leaders who took it upon themselves to grow the program from the inside out. Whether it was Stetson Bennett’s grit or Matthew Stafford’s swagger, there’s a familiar feeling building around Curtis—one of belief, buy-in, and brotherhood.
“He’s not waiting until he gets to campus to make an impact,” said linebacker Marcus Bradley, another top-100 recruit. “He’s already leading. That’s rare. You don’t see that every year.”
As the summer recruiting period ramps up and official visits begin, don’t be surprised if Georgia begins to stack commitments in rapid succession. Multiple sources close to the program believe a wave of decisions could come after the June visit window, with Curtis playing an integral role in closing the deal.
For now, Curtis continues to do what he does best—lead, inspire, and recruit with purpose. And he’s not slowing down. “I told Coach Smart I’m all in,” Curtis said in a recent interview. “Now I’m trying to bring the dogs with me. We’ve got a chance to make history, and I’m not wasting any time.”
If Georgia ends up with a top-three recruiting class—or the No. 1 overall group—it won’t just be because of coaching or tradition. It’ll be because a kid from Nashville decided to be more than just a quarterback. He decided to be the catalyst. The spark. The glue.
Jared Curtis isn’t just leading Georgia’s next wave—he’s building it brick by brick. And by the sound of it, plenty of the nation’s best recruits are ready to follow his lead.