Jared Kurtis has made a wild-card entry into the Dawgs QB room after much deliberation over the past few months. Kirby Smart is determined not to lose him for a second time. The team is currently aiming to secure their 10th straight top-five recruiting class for 2026. While Smart employs a comprehensive approach to strengthen the position groups, statistics indicate that one of the elite groups on the Dawgs roster is the tight end position. With Kurtis now under center, Smart is committed to doing everything possible to protect him during high-risk passing plays. This places the tight ends in the spotlight, and on the other side of that spotlight is none other than Mark Bowman from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California.

The five-star recruit reclassified from the 2027 class to the current cycle and is rated as the No. 2 tight end, the No. 4 player in the state. Bowman caught 32 passes for 435 yards with eight touchdowns last season, helping Mater Dei to a 13-0 record and Open Division state championship. No wonder why Smart set his eyes on the 6 ft 4.

Bowman’s recruitment streak has been a rollercoaster ride lately. Texas, Oregon, Alabama, USC, and Georgia stand as his favorites. He has made several visits to the schools over the summer. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns were the frontrunners for Bowman back in March.

However, a visit over the weekend earned the Trojans a surprise edge in the race. Bowman has visited the Trojans multiple times in the past and has scheduled another for June 17. However, the latest projection from On3’s Jake Rowe crowned the Bulldogs as the new leader.

“While Texas holds a ton of buzz for the talented pass catcher, I’m hearing enough on my end to think that the Bulldogs may be more formidable than folks realize, and as such, I’m putting in a prediction for Georgia to land his services in the end,” Reuse wrote in a bombshell prediction. Things seem to be in a hot frying pan that can roast the toast in the blink of an eye.

Georgia will get the upper hand in the recruitment war if it can make an explosive union of Jared Curtis, wide receiver Vance Spafford, four-star safety Zech Fort, and TE Mack Bowman in the class of 2026. The Dawgs have already bagged a commitment from TE Elyiss Williams in the 2025 class. Bowman’s addition will add more value to the room.

But as far as Jared Kurtis is concerned, things seem to be a little dicey, as history reveals a major flaw in Smart’s management.

Georgia’s past woes with the five-star recruits raise a red flag for Jared Kurtis

Jared Kurtis turned down a slew of NIL offers to rejoin Georgia in a drastic move. After agonizing over his decision between Oregon and Georgia, the five-star recruit finally picked the Bulldogs. It marked the first five-star quarterback recruitment of Georgia since 2018.

Justin Fields has been the name that has worn a lot of trauma in the Dawgs QB squad. His futile NFL ambition has never been a secret to the Bulldogs fans. After spending a season as a backup at Athens, Fields retreated. The unsuccessful development of a five-star left a bitter taste in Georgia’s recruiting goodwill.

David Pollack has sent a gentle warning to Kurtis and all who plan to commit. “If you go through the list of five-stars…the one that Kirby [Smart] hit out of the park, that everybody loved, that was finally mobile, was Justin Fields. And Justin didn’t get it done. You can say what you want,” Pollack gave a brutal reality check, “[But] he couldn’t beat out Jake Fromm. Ohio State’s offense was different. They used his athletic ability and made it easier for him. And he looked a lot better.”

However, Fields has another reason to turn heads in Athens. A lackluster coaching system and a difference in the offensive style cost him the spot as early as he took it. But make no mistake! Georgia is still behind the radar in setting up solid ground for a five-star QB with the Jared Kurtis archetype.