As the college football landscape shifts, Vanderbilt University is intensifying efforts to recruit five-star quarterback commit Jared Curtis from the University of Georgia. With only thirty-two days remaining before the early signing period scheduled for December 3-5, 2026, teams across the nation are preparing for a frenetic final stretch in recruiting.
Vanderbilt, currently ranked ninth in the nation, is keenly focused on attracting Curtis, who is regarded as the second-best quarterback in the upcoming class. Following two recent visits to Vanderbilt’s campus, the Commodores are expected to maintain regular communication with Curtis leading up to signing day. The coaching staff is emphasizing the benefits of staying in his hometown of Nashville and potentially stepping into the role of starting quarterback after Diego Pavia.
Despite Vanderbilt’s determined outreach, sources indicate that Curtis remains firmly committed to Georgia. After decommitting last fall and re-committing in May, Curtis plans to sign with the Bulldogs in December and enroll in early 2026. “I’m still pretty confident in what we have going on with him,” said a source familiar with Curtis’ recruitment. The five-star prospect believes Georgia offers the best opportunity for his athletic development and championship aspirations.
Shifting Dynamics in the Quarterback Market
While Curtis’ situation remains in the spotlight, the broader quarterback market for the 2026 class is beginning to stabilize. Many Power 4 programs have secured their quarterback commitments, yet a handful of promising recruits are still exploring their options. Notably, four-star quarterback Tradon Bessinger recently decommitted from Boise State and is garnering interest from schools like BYU, Iowa, and UCLA. Bessinger’s unique position allows him to delay his decision until February, as he will complete his senior basketball season.
Another notable name is Troy Huhn, who has reopened his recruitment after decommitting from Penn State. With Stanford extending an offer, Huhn is watching the coaching landscape closely, particularly in light of recent coaching changes.
As the situation unfolds, several ESPN 300 quarterbacks, including Kayd Coffman and Peyton Falzone, may also find themselves reassessing their commitments depending on the outcomes of coaching changes at their respective schools.
LSU’s Coaching Change and Its Impact on Recruitment
The recent firing of Brian Kelly at LSU has raised questions about the future of the Tigers’ recruiting class, particularly concerning the top prospect Lamar Brown. As the number one overall recruit in the nation, Brown’s decisions will significantly influence LSU’s 2026 class. Despite the upheaval, sources close to the program suggest that Brown is likely to remain committed to LSU, highlighting strong ties to the local community and the program.
Brown’s commitment is pivotal, as he leads a group of in-state recruits that constitutes a large portion of LSU’s commitments for the upcoming class. Should he decide to stay, it is anticipated that most of the current pledges will also follow suit.
Another player to watch is Messiah Mickens, a four-star running back who recently reopened his recruitment after Penn State’s coaching change. Mickens is considering schools like Georgia, Miami, and Missouri, and is working to schedule official visits.
As the college football regular season progresses, the recruiting landscape will continue to evolve. Programs such as Auburn, Ohio State, and Tennessee are also hosting significant visitor weekends, further contributing to the dynamic nature of recruitment as teams finalize their classes before the early signing period.
With the clock ticking down, coaching staffs and recruits alike are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable close to the recruitment cycle for the class of 2026.
