Kirby Smart’s Georgia is facing a serious talent drain. Nearly 36 players, including star QB Carson Beck, hit the transfer portal in December. Key receivers like Michael Jackson III and even the dismissed Rara Thomas are gone. It’s a major blow. And landing a top-tier quarterback is crucial for Kirby Smart to rebuild. But it hasn’t been easy.

Remember Jared Curtis? The five-star who committed to Georgia in March and then flipped in October? That was a major blow to their recruiting momentum. Now, Georgia’s offensive coordinator, who orchestrated an offense that ranked fourth in yards per play and fifth in scoring last year, is actively recruiting Curtis. He’s pulling out all the stops to convince the Curtis family.

In a recent episode on Georgia Bulldogs football on DawgsHQ, Jake Rowe and Rusty Mansell connected to talk about Georgia’s recruitment objective. According to Mansell, “I think Jared Curtis, you know, people automatically assume the day he decommitted. And I talked to someone it’s very much in his circle the night he decommitted. That person text me said, George is going to be in this thing all the way to the end. And their relationship with Mike Bobo is going to be key. ”

Now, it merely shows that despite his de-commitment, the greatest fit still looks to be Smart’s team. The young QB has already made multiple trips to Georgia to get a feel for the team and figure out his potential role. If that doesn’t scream ‘Georgia is still in the mix,’ we don’t know what will. Hope a significant update from the Georgia insider will help! “Mike Bobo was there the week before last. Then he was there again last week, and then Kirby Smart came up and visited with him as a top target. So George is all-in,” Mansell added.

Georgia is definitely interested in Curtis, and the feeling is mutual. He’s one of the quarterbacks they’re targeting, and they’re one of the schools he’s considering. But Curtis isn’t the only quarterback on their radar. Dia Bell, the son of former NBA star Raja Bell, is another highly-touted prospect. As Mansell put it, “He [Curtis] is not the only one, but he’s the one they’ve been into the longest.”

The buzz around Curtis is undeniable. He’s a hot commodity, with six schools vying for his commitment. This recruiting battle is heating up every day, and it’s going to be fascinating to see where he ultimately lands.

Who is topping Jared Curtis’ playlist?

Curtis has narrowed his choices down to SIX top colleges, according to Steve Wiltfong of On3. Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, South Carolina, Auburn, and Ohio State. And among them, Jared Curtis is scheduled to visit South Carolina on June 20, Georgia on June 13, and Oregon on June 6. He’s also hoping to visit Alabama in early May.

However, according to Steve Wiltfong, Georgia provides the best chance for the quarterback to get into the game early compared to all those other universities. Having received nearly 20 offers thus far, his hype makes sense. In just 37 games at Nashville Christian School in Bellevue, he racked up an amazing 7,665 yards and nine touchdowns.

Not sure how likely it is that Georgia will acquire the quarterback, but during the visit, the quarterback stated, “I really enjoyed my time at Georgia. The coaching staff made me feel like part of the family, and the facilities are top-notch. It’s a place where I can see myself developing both as a player and a person.” What a positive response!

And let’s not forget, Mike Bobo, Georgia’s offensive coordinator, has a proven track record of developing top-tier quarterbacks. He’s mentored guys like Matthew Stafford, Aaron Murray, and David Greene. With Carson Beck transferring to Miami and Gunner Stockton taking the reins in 2025, Georgia is looking to reload at the position. They’ve already landed 4-star Ryan Montgomery for the 2025 class, and now they’re gunning for five-star Jared Curtis in 2026.

According to Steve Wiltfong, “Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo spent nine hours with Curtis and his family on a recent in-home. Kirby Smart and Bobo will be back on Thursday.” That shows how much they value Curtis. Now Georgia has a lot to offer: proximity to home, a chance to compete for championships every year, and a strong quarterback development program under Bobo. It’s sure going to be a dogfight for Curtis’ signature. Can Kirby Smart outmaneuver the SEC competition?