The No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs (10-1) got a 16-9 win over their in-state rival, the No. 23 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-3), in this year’s edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate. At the same time, one of UGA’s biggest battles of all is on the recruiting trail for 2026’s No. 1-ranked quarterback, Jared Curtis.
With early national signing day approaching on Dec. 3, the Dawgs are in a race for the jewel of the 2026 class with the No. 14 Vanderbilt Commodores (9-2). Such a tight race for the nation’s No. 1 recruit involving Vanderbilt is not what most would have foreseen before this program-changing season in Nashville. It would have been hard to convince Georgia until recently that it would ever be at risk of losing its most prized recruit to the Commodores.
RELATED: New quote from Jared Curtis’ camp adds fresh twist to UGA recruitment
In his junior year, Jared Curtis led Nashville (Tenn.) Christian School to a 2024 state title while being named Tennessee’s Mr. Football and Gatorade Player of the Year.
Just by early afternoon on Black Friday, several major developments in Curtis’ recruitment had broken.
Let’s break down what happened on Friday that added even more intrigue to the Curtis recruitment:
Jared Curtis Won’t Sign National Letter of Intent Until a Bit Later
Most players sign on the dotted line with their future school when the early national signing period opens on Dec. 3. However, Curtis has informed Hayes Fawcett of Rivals that he will wait until Dec. 5, the final day of the period, to make his decision official.
RELATED, but maybe not as much anymore: Reasons not to panic over last week’s Jared Curtis development
Vanderbilt Head Coach Clark Lea Signs Extension, Staying in Nashville
The Commodores’ success this year, combined with the number of coaching openings across the country, has sparked speculation that HC Clark Lea could be moving on. Lea leaving would have been a huge blow in Vanderbilt’s recruitment of Curtis and could have solidified things for Georgia. Friday, it was announced that a six-year extension had been signed, securing Vandy’s leader for the foreseeable future.
Expert Switches Official Prediction for Curtis’ Recruitment, but Not Everyone’s on Board
Friday morning, Steve Wiltfong of Rivals dropped a “Fong Bomb,” officially changing his prediction for Curtis from Georgia to Vanderbilt. That’s a tough one for UGA fans, as Wiltfong is one of the nation’s leading experts in recruiting.
“Predicting Vandy to flip 5-star QB Jared Curtis from Georgia,” he wrote.
However, Rusty Mansell of DawgsHQ gave his opinion. Mansell posted on the On3 chat board that he’s still predicting Curtis to sign with Georgia.
Curtis’ Mother Endorses UGA on Friday
Friday afternoon, a user on X replied to the mom of No. 1 recruit’s post supporting her son.
“Jared’s gonna look so good in black and gold” @ClintMacnemyre said.
Curtis’ mom, Barbara Whittington Curtis, responded with “Go Dawgs! I prefer red and black!”
Take that how you will. People who say “we’re not recruiting Curtis’ mom” are only half right. It’s the QB’s decision, but recruiting the parents does mean something. Time will tell.
