Jared Curtis: From Five-Star Recruit to Vanderbilt's Potential Savior
The landscape of college football is ever-evolving. While the NCAA transfer portal has gained prominence, high school recruiting remains a cornerstone of roster construction. Programs finalized their 2026 football recruiting classes on Early Signing Day, which was Dec. 3, 2025. And while it's rare for true freshmen to immediately impact the field, some are poised to compete for starting roles. Among them is Jared Curtis.
The Quarterback Landscape in 2026
ESPN's Max Olson, Adam Rittenberg, and Eli Lederman have projected that freshman Jared Curtis will be Vanderbilt's starting quarterback in 2026. This is notable considering the program's recent history and the shoes Curtis will have to fill.
Curtis's Arrival at Vanderbilt
Curtis flipped his commitment to Vanderbilt on Dec. 2, one day prior to Early Signing Day. He will be working with a slightly different set of playmakers than Diego Pavia relied upon, with All-America tight end Eli Stowers and third-leading receiver Tre Richardson headed to Louisville. If Curtis is the Commodores' Week 1 starter, the program's Oct. 3 trip to Georgia could present an especially juicy early matchup.
Filling Big Shoes: The Legacy of Diego Pavia
Curtis will have significant shoes to fill with Diego Pavia's departure for the 2026 NFL draft. Despite reaching a few unbeaten seasons in the early 1900s, the Commodores had never won more than nine games in a season until Pavia guided them to a 10-3 record in 2025. Pavia's impact on the program was undeniable, and Curtis will be tasked with maintaining that momentum.
The Current Quarterback Room
The only scholarship quarterback with game experience at Vanderbilt in 2025 is Blaze Berlowitz. He appeared in the Commodores' blowout wins over Charleston Southern, Virginia Tech, South Carolina, Georgia State, Utah State and Kentucky. This means Curtis will have to compete with Berlowitz for the starting role.
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Curtis's High School Pedigree
The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder was a five-star prospect coming out of Nashville Christian School. Curtis committed to Georgia on two different occasions during his high school recruitment; the first was a seven-month period from March to October of 2024, and the second was another seven-month period from May to December of 2025. His talent was evident early on, making him a highly sought-after recruit.
Scouting Report: Elite Arm Talent
Curtis possesses elite arm talent with creative playmaking ability. He has a big frame, measuring in at around 6-foot-3.5, 225 pounds with a 9.5-inch hand prior to his junior season. He looks like the top arm talent in the 2026 cycle. The ball explodes off his hand. He generates considerable velocity on throws to all areas of the field and has a loose, natural throwing motion, capable of delivering impressive passes from several arm angles. A pure rotational athlete, he does not need his feet set to throw accurate passes.
He plays with a gunslinging mentality and is not afraid to drive the football into tight windows over the middle of the field. A fluid athlete who is tough to corral in the backfield, he is a dangerous playmaker and improviser. He had some unbelievable second-reaction plays as a junior, evading pass rushers and uncorking throws 50+ yards downfield. He made impressive strides with his accuracy and decision-making as a junior, completing over 70% of his passes for 2,830 yards (11.1 yards per attempt) for 40 touchdowns and 3 interceptions while leading his team to a state title. He also rushed for 637 yards and 18 scores.
While he does not play top competition and is older for the cycle, he will need to continue improving his consistency. However, the pure arm talent and playmaking ability give him one of the highest upsides in the 2026 cycle.
Physical Attributes
Curtis's measurements are impressive for a quarterback. He weighs 225 pounds and stands at 6-4. These physical attributes, combined with his arm talent, make him a formidable prospect.
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Recruitment Visits
Curtis has taken several visits to both Georgia and Vanderbilt. He visited Georgia unofficially on March 13, 2025, and officially on June 13, 2025. He also visited Georgia unofficially on November 15, 2025. He visited Vanderbilt unofficially on October 22 and 25, 2025. These visits ultimately led to his commitment to Vanderbilt.
Resemblance to Josh Allen
Jared Curtis' top shelf arm talent and ability to make plays outside of structure with his mobility remind us of Josh Allen. Allen has a bigger frame than Curtis, while Curtis is a more well-known and accomplished player at the same stage. This comparison highlights the potential that Curtis possesses.
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