The 9-4 SEC giant is proving why they’re still ranked No. 2 in the recruiting class, as they make this grandmaster move for the 5-star 2026 recruit, Jared Curtis. The 6’4”, 225-pound quarterback from Nashville has become the most sought-after name of Oregon Ducks. And while the October 2024 decommit of Georgia is keeping these six giants guessing, it’s clear the stakes are sky-high.

Enter Alabama. The Crimson Tide may have had a bumpy 9-4 season under first-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, but they’ve been relentless on the recruiting trail. Earlier this week, DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan made a personal trip to Nashville to woo Jared Curtis. Mick Gillispie of the Bama Tailgate channel didn’t mince words when he said, “Alabama possibly can land the best quarterback in the country, and if he’s not, he’s arguably the best depending on what recruiting service you’re looking at.” That’s high praise, but also a testament to Curtis’s potential to redefine a program.

“DeBoer and Nick Sheridan up in his neck of the woods to talk to him and uh you know I think it’s a good thing I mean they have been really blanketing the area around the state of Alabama I felt like that was a weakness last year,” the host said of Bama. Jared Curtis, who racked up an eye-popping 7,665 yards and 92 touchdowns in just 37 games at Nashville Christian School in Bellevue. He told On3 he has narrowed his options to six powerhouse schools.

Oregon, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Auburn, and Ohio State. with three visits set: Oregon June 6-8, Georgia June 13-15, and South Carolina 20-22. The plot thickened earlier this year when he decommitted from Georgia, sending shockwaves through the recruiting world. The Bulldogs, known for their recruiting dominance, now find themselves fighting tooth and nail to reclaim his favor. Meanwhile, other programs smell blood in the water.

What makes Curtis so special isn’t just his stats, though they’re undeniably impressive. It’s his poise, his football IQ, and his ability to make plays under pressure. He’s the kind of quarterback who doesn’t just execute a game plan—he elevates it. “This is a guy out of Nashville Christian that you really want to be in the mix for,” Gillispie added. And Alabama, despite some hiccups last season, has made it clear they’re all in.

The Ducks have built a reputation for their explosive offense, a style that could perfectly complement Curtis’s skill set. The absence of Tennessee from Curtis’s top six is a twist worthy of its own subplot. For a player hailing from Nashville, it’s notable that the hometown Volunteers didn’t make the cut. It’s a reminder that Curtis isn’t just looking for proximity or comfort—he’s looking for a program that can maximize his potential and catapult him into the NFL.

The recruiting frenzy around him will only intensify.

Jared Curtis opens up about his ties with Bama

Next up for Jared Curtis? A trip to Tuscaloosa on February 1 for Alabama’s Junior Day—a visit sure to keep fans buzzing about one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Curtis, the Gatorade Tennessee National Player of the Year, has already shown he’s got the poise and talent to thrive at the next level, and his recruitment is heating up.

“Coach Sheridan and Coach DeBoer, I feel like they showed what they can do in their first year,” Curtis told On3. “They keep getting top-five recruiting classes, and they have the guys around.” High praise from a player who’s been on every major program’s radar.

Curtis has also mapped out official visits to Oregon, Georgia, and South Carolina for June, setting the stage for an intriguing summer recruitment showdown. However, he’s in no rush to make a decision. “I’ll wait until official visits to make my decision,” Curtis told Chad Simmons back in December. “When official visits open up, I’ll get down on some visits, see the schools, and see what I like about them.” For now, all eyes are on the June visits, where programs will roll out the red carpet in hopes of landing the player who could redefine their future.