Jared Curtis went to Vanderbilt with one clear path in mind: win the quarterback job and play right away. But a new projection from On3 has thrown that plan into doubt, and it gives Georgia fans a chance to enjoy the irony.
Curtis, the former five-star Georgia commit, flipped to the Commodores after twice being committed to Kirby Smart’s program. He first pledged to Georgia, backed off, then committed again before making the late switch to Vanderbilt just days before signing day. One of the biggest reasons for the move was simple - he wanted a shot to start as a true freshman.
That logic made sense on the surface. Gunner Stockton is back as Georgia’s starter, so Curtis was never going to walk into Athens and beat him out this season. Diego Pavia is also gone at Vanderbilt, which opened the door for Curtis to potentially take over immediately.
Instead, On3’s projection has Curtis losing the starting job heading into the 2026 season. That would be a brutal outcome for a quarterback who left Georgia specifically to avoid waiting his turn.
The timing makes it even more interesting for Georgia. Vanderbilt is on the Bulldogs’ schedule this season, so there was already a chance for Georgia to face Curtis directly. If he ends up not winning the job at all, that would be an even sharper twist in the recruitment saga.
Of course, if Curtis does win the Vanderbilt job, the move will look a lot more justified. He was not going to start at Georgia this year, and finding a Power Four spot where he could play immediately would have been the whole point.
But if he can’t beat out the competition in Nashville, the decision gets a lot harder to defend. He could have stayed with Georgia, developed for a year, and then pushed for the starting job in Athens ahead of the 2027 season. And based on the way the situation is laid out, he would have had a strong chance to do exactly that.
For now, the whole thing comes down to whether Curtis can actually seize the Vanderbilt job. If he can’t, Georgia may end up getting the last laugh after all.
In Other News...
Why Vanderbilt Suddenly Believes Jayvontay Conner Can Be A Factor
Jayvontay Conner arrived at Vanderbilt with a rsum that already included stops at Ole Miss and East Carolina, but the conversation around him has changed since spring practice. The former ECU tight end committed for the 2026 season, and tight ends coach Brendan Flaherty has pointed to Conners improved consistency and physical conditioning as the reasons the Commodores are starting to see real upside in him.
For a program that wants more from its tight end room, Conners development matters because Vanderbilt believes he can become a meaningful part of the offense next season. Flahertys confidence suggests the Commodores are not just hoping for depth, but for a player who can handle a larger workload and help fill a bigger void in the passing game. [Read more 🡒]
Nike Just Put An LSU Star In Elite SEC Company
Nikes latest NIL push once again put the SEC at the center of the conversation, with the company announcing a roster that includes 11 prep prospects and eight college football players. Several of the names are already familiar to fans around the league, from Ole Misss Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy to Texass Cam Coleman and Colin Simmons, along with LSUs TreyDez Green, underscoring how aggressively brands continue to target football talent tied to the sports biggest stage.
For Vanderbilt, the broader significance is hard to miss even beyond the headline names. Nike said the signings are meant to support athletes at multiple levels with media and product backing, a reminder that the NIL marketplace is still expanding in ways that reach well past the traditional blueblood programs. The Commodores have been working to build momentum on and off the field, and being part of a Nike roster alongside so many SEC-linked players only adds another layer to that picture. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Commit Gabe Nesmith Is Giving Fans Something To Debate
Mark Byington and Vanderbilts staff made the trip to Augusta, Georgia, this week to get another look at five-star commit Gabe Nesmith, and it is easy to see why the Commodores are paying close attention. Nesmith has already shown the kind of size and versatility that can matter in the SEC, and his early play has given the program a glimpse of a guard who can handle the ball, rebound and create for others while he continues to settle in against high-level competition.
The debate, of course, comes from the rough edges that still show up in the scoring numbers. Nesmith has flashed his playmaking, including a big passing stretch during the event, but the shot has not always followed, leaving evaluators to weigh the long-term upside against the current inconsistency. Vanderbilt clearly believes the foundation is there, especially with his physical tools and defensive potential, but the next steps in his development will be worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]