Jared Curtis went to Vanderbilt for one reason above all else: a chance to play right away.
That was the logic behind the former five-star Georgia commit’s flip, and it made sense on paper. Gunner Stockton is back as Georgia’s starter, so Curtis was never going to walk into Athens and beat him out. Diego Pavia was leaving Vanderbilt, though, which opened a path for Curtis to arrive and potentially take the job as a true freshman.
Now that plan is suddenly looking shaky.
On3 projected Curtis to lose Vanderbilt’s starting job ahead of the 2026 season, a development that would have Georgia fans laughing at how the recruitment played out. The projection came as part of On3’s look at every SEC starting quarterback ahead of the 2026 season.
Curtis’s path to this point has already been a winding one. He was committed to Georgia twice - committed, decommitted, then committed again - before flipping to Vanderbilt just days before signing day.
The appeal of Vanderbilt was straightforward: a chance to start early. If Curtis had landed the job, the move would have made plenty of sense. He would have found a Power Four spot where he could get on the field immediately, while Georgia remained blocked by Stockton.
But if he can’t win the Vanderbilt job, the decision starts to look a lot different.
Georgia fans had already been eyeing Vanderbilt on the schedule this season with the hope of getting a shot at Curtis in Athens. If he doesn’t even become the starter, that may be an even sweeter outcome for them. Instead of facing the quarterback who turned away from Kirby Smart, they may get the satisfaction of watching him sit.
There is still time for that to change, and Curtis could still end up winning the job. If he does, the move to Vanderbilt will have a clear explanation. If he doesn’t, the questions around his decision to leave Georgia will only get louder.
Had he stayed with Georgia, Curtis could have spent a year developing and then pushed for the starting job in Athens ahead of the 2027 season. That path would have kept him in a program where quarterback value is hard to beat.
That’s why the stakes around Vanderbilt’s quarterback competition matter so much here. If Curtis doesn’t turn the opportunity into a starting role, the decision to turn his back on Georgia will look harder and harder to justify.
In Other News...
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Collins looks like the best bet to carve out the biggest role in year one, but the path for any of these newcomers will depend on how quickly they adjust once fall camp starts. Jean-Noels fastest route onto the field may come through special teams, where he could help change field position if he wins over the staff, while Davis has the sort of production profile that suggests there is more to his game than just being another young receiver in the room. [Read more 🡒]
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There is at least a clearer plan for 2026. New coordinator Jason Semore is expected to bring a more aggressive approach on third down, leaning into added pass-rush depth and a defense that attacks instead of waiting for mistakes. Better tackling will also matter, because even a decent rush plan can unravel if ball carriers keep slipping past the first defender. The new look should also give the cornerbacks more chances to play in space, with Jaylen Mbakwe and Jonas Duclona among the players who could fit that style well. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Has One Huge Question That Could Shape The ACC Race
Georgia Techs biggest offensive unknown may not be at quarterback, where Alberto Mendoza is waiting for help, but at receiver, where the Yellow Jackets are trying to rebuild almost from scratch. The roster churn has been heavy, and the staff has already responded by adding two transfers and shifting former cornerback Dalen Penson to offense in an effort to add both size and depth to a room that needs reliable targets in a hurry.
The problem is that the competition for snaps is wide open, with several freshmen and redshirt players expected to get a real look as the spring and summer unfold. If the newcomers can settle in quickly, Georgia Tech could give Mendoza enough support to stay on schedule and keep pace in the ACC race. If not, this position group could become the one question that hangs over the entire season. [Read more 🡒]