Could Jared Curtis Still End Up in Athens? A Wild Card Scenario Emerges
When five-star quarterback Jared Curtis flipped his commitment from Georgia to Vanderbilt earlier this month, it sent shockwaves through the Bulldogs’ fanbase. Losing a top-tier QB prospect is never easy, especially when he had once been penciled in as the potential future face of the program in Athens. But in the ever-evolving world of college football recruiting, nothing is ever truly final - and a new wrinkle could open the door for Curtis to circle back to Georgia.
Let’s break it down.
The Coaching Domino That Could Change Everything
Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea is reportedly on Michigan’s radar as the Wolverines continue their search for a new head coach. While Lea hasn’t publicly expressed interest in the job, the connection is worth watching.
He’s fresh off signing a contract extension with Vanderbilt and has already turned down overtures from programs like LSU, Florida, and Penn State - not exactly small-time offers. So what makes Michigan different?
Well, for starters, Michigan has already struck out on its top two targets: Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham and Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer. With their coaching search dragging on, the Wolverines may be ready to up the ante - and that could mean making Lea an offer compelling enough to test his loyalty to Nashville.
If that happens, the ripple effect could be significant.
Could Curtis Flip Again?
Jared Curtis committed to Vanderbilt in large part because of Lea’s vision and leadership. If Lea were to leave for Ann Arbor, it’s not hard to imagine Curtis reconsidering his options - and Georgia, the program he once committed to, would naturally be in the conversation.
Nothing is official, of course. But Georgia fans got a jolt of intrigue when Dawgs Central hinted at a major development involving a quarterback from the 2026 class. While the post didn’t name Curtis directly, Georgia hasn’t been publicly tied to any other QBs in that class recently, adding fuel to the speculation.
What Would Kirby Do?
Here’s the million-dollar question: If Curtis did want back in, would Kirby Smart welcome him?
That’s unclear. Georgia has never been shy about playing the long game with recruiting, and Smart’s track record shows a willingness to prioritize talent - even if the road back is a little messy. But it’s also possible that the Bulldogs have moved on, or that they’d want to make sure Curtis is fully committed before opening that door again.
The Most Likely Scenario… For Now
Right now, the most probable outcome is that Clark Lea stays put at Vanderbilt, and Curtis stays with him. Lea has shown no public interest in leaving, and Michigan still has other options on the table. But in college football, things can change fast - especially when a blue-blood program like Michigan is involved and still looking for answers.
If the coaching carousel spins just right, Georgia might get a second chance at one of the most talented quarterbacks in the 2026 class. Stay tuned.