Saturday, the No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs (9-1) will play their final home game of the 2025 season at Sanford Stadium (barring a home College Football Playoff game). The Dawgs will take on the Charlotte 49ers for Senior Day.
Friday, UGA had a possible development with their prized 2026 No. 1 quarterback commit — Jared Curtis. Curtis committed to Georgia in May 2025 after first pledging to Kirby Smart in March 2024 and then reopening his recruitment that October.
Speculation around the No. 1 QB’s recruitment has already been white-hot recently as Vanderbilt has made a huge push to flip the Nashville native. Tuesday, Rivals reported that a source close to Curtis said he wants to “play as a true freshman at the school of his choice.”
“He does not want to sit,” the source told Rivals.
This alarmed plenty of Georgia fans, as Gunner Stockton will be back in Athens next year, while Vanderbilt’s QB position will be open following the departure of Diego Pavia. We broke down Tuesday’s full story here.
Friday’s Development in Curtis’ Recruitment
Friday, Vanderbilt’s only QB commit for 2026 (same as Curtis) — Michael Mitchell Jr. — decommitted from the Commodores.
What does that have to do with UGA? Many are speculating that the decommitment from Mitchell Jr. could be due to his knowledge of Curtis’ intentions to flip to Vanderbilt. The No. 1 QB joining the same class means you would most likely look elsewhere.
Curtis has been vocal about his intentions of remaining with UGA.
“It’ll be a fun time. At the end of the day, I’m still a Bulldog,” Curtis told On3’s Hayes Fawcett before a Vandy visit in October.
Of course, it’s possible that Curtis could be planning on signing with his hometown school on Dec. 3. However, there are also several plausible reasons for Friday’s news that don’t involve Georgia losing its QB of the future.
Let’s break them down.
Michael Mitchell Jr. May Have Gotten a Better Offer Elsewhere
Mitchell Jr. may not be the No. 1 QB, but he is still highly coveted with offers from Ole Miss, Arkansas, Stanford, Arizona State and Cal, among others. He’s a 3-star and ranks as the nation’s No. 44 QB, per 247 Sports.
The new reality of college football is that money heavily influences where players choose to go. With NIL offers constantly changing, recruits are less predictable in their commitments. The San Francisco quarterback may have received a stronger offer or been swayed by something else.
Head Coach Clark Lea’s Future at Vanderbilt Has Been Uncertain. Maybe That Scared Mitchell Jr. Off?
Clark Lea has been linked to several head coaching openings this year. Lea has completely rebuilt the Vanderbilt program, leading the Commodores to an 8-2 record so far this season and a real shot at the College Football Playoff. Given the number of major jobs open – like Florida, LSU and Auburn – and the fact that Vanderbilt is typically one of the bottom programs in the power conferences, Lea may be looking to take the next step in his career. There will definitely be an opportunity for him to do so. Uncertainty about whether the program’s head will still be there next year could have led Mitchell Jr. to reconsider.
A QB Other Than Jared Curtis Could Be on Their Way to Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt’s former commit could be making way for someone, but that someone may not be Jared Curtis. Mitchell Jr. is the No. 44-ranked QB in the 2026 class per 247Sports, so it is plausible the Commodores may have been able to entice a higher-ranked prospect who is not Curtis, especially considering the program’s success this season. If a higher-ranked QB has internally made intentions clear to attend Vanderbilt, Mitchell Jr. may be exploring other programs where there is a better opportunity to play.
Losing Curtis Would Sting, But Georgia Would Survive
Even if worst comes to worst, the Dawgs have a bright future ahead at QB. Heisman hopeful Gunner Stockton will be under center again next season, and UGA has the No. 1 QB in the 2028 class — Jayden Wade — committed.
Also, 2027’s No. 1-ranked QB Elijah Haven was in Athens over the weekend for the Texas game, and his father told On3 that it was the best atmosphere they had seen this season.
And don’t forget Ryan Puglisi, Georgia’s backup behind Stockton. He was a highly coveted recruit in the 2024 class, ranking as the No. 10 QB recruit in the country. Again, it would hurt. But we would be ok.
While Friday’s news definitely raises questions between Georgia and its top recruit, answers won’t likely be given until early national signing day on Dec. 3.
