Georgia Loses Five-Star QB Jared Curtis to Vanderbilt, But All Eyes Now on Four-Star RB Carsyn Baker
Early Signing Day always brings its fair share of surprises, and this year, Georgia found itself on the wrong end of one. Five-star quarterback Jared Curtis flipped his commitment from the Bulldogs to Vanderbilt - a move that sent shockwaves through the recruiting landscape.
For Kirby Smart and his staff, it’s a tough pill to swallow, but there’s no time to dwell. The recruiting calendar doesn’t stop, and Georgia still has key pieces to lock in before the dust settles on this class.
One area to watch closely? Running back.
Right now, Georgia has just one back signed in this cycle. That’s not unusual, but in today’s game - with the physical toll on backs and the ever-present transfer portal - adding a second runner is more strategy than luxury.
And suddenly, there’s a name back on the board who could fit that need perfectly: Carsyn Baker.
A Familiar Name Back in Play
Baker, a four-star running back out of Fairburn, Georgia, announced earlier this week that he’s decommitted from Florida. The 6’2”, 200-pound back had been pledged to the Gators since June, but now he’s reopened his recruitment - and that could be a window of opportunity for the Bulldogs.
According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, Baker is the No. 211 overall player in the 2026 class, the No. 15-ranked running back nationally, and the No. 23 player in the state of Georgia. He’s a powerful, downhill runner with enough burst to break big plays - the kind of back who fits the mold of what Georgia has traditionally looked for in its backfield.
What makes this even more intriguing is that Georgia was heavily involved in Baker’s recruitment earlier in the year. At one point, the Bulldogs were considered a strong contender.
But by the time summer rolled around, the relationship had cooled, and Baker didn’t take an official visit to Athens. That seemed to close the door - until now.
Why Georgia Might Circle Back
With Baker back on the market, Georgia has a chance to re-engage. The in-state connection is a big one.
Georgia has long done well recruiting top talent from within its borders, and Baker’s proximity could make it easier for the staff to get back in the mix. More importantly, there’s already a foundation in place from their earlier conversations - and that matters when time is tight.
It’s also worth noting that Baker isn’t expected to sign by the end of this week. That gives Georgia some breathing room to reestablish the relationship and potentially bring him in for a visit after the early signing period. If the Bulldogs decide to make a push, they’ll have time to do it right.
The Bigger Picture
Losing Jared Curtis stings - there’s no way around that. But Georgia’s recruiting machine is built for moments like this.
The staff has consistently shown an ability to adjust on the fly, recalibrate priorities, and close strong. If they decide Baker is the right fit to round out the backfield in this class, don’t be surprised to see the Bulldogs make a serious move.
This is recruiting in the SEC: fast, fluid, and full of twists. Georgia just took a hit at quarterback, but the opportunity to add another top-tier running back is right in front of them. Now it’s a matter of whether they take the shot.