With Early Signing Day around the corner, commits flipping from their programs have accelerated to another level. We saw Ohio State flip two commits from Clemson and Colorado. Undefeated Texas A&M is trying to do the same with two crucial Auburn and Florida commits. Now, an unlikely contender has emerged to flip Georgia’s prized possession, Jared Curtis.

“I have been very clear that Vanderbilt is not letting up. From the Vanderbilt side of things and talking to people around us, they are pushing hard for this kid,” said the host of the Dawgs HQ podcast on November 21.

Even Steve Wiltfong of On3 recently reported about Vanderbilt’s interest in the five-star QB. The Nashville, Tennessee, native visited the Vanderbilt program in October and was reportedly promised the QB1 position for 2026. That’s not the case with Georgia, which has Gunner Stockton at the helm for another year. Wiltfong was asked if Curtis’s stay at Georgia was a done deal since he was back in Athens. The On3 reporter clearly said it’s not the case.

“I still think that Vanderbilt has a pulse in this recruitment, and communication will continue with the Vanderbilt staff. Talking to some sources around Jared Curtis, one of the biggest factors in his recruitment as he winds this thing down is that he wants to play early. And so I think he wants to play as a true freshman,” said Wiltfong.

Losing Curtis will be a major setback for Kirby Smart’s plans for the post-Stockton future. Many scouts deem him “college-ready.” The Georgia commit has 7,665 passing yards to his name on 483 completions and displays accuracy even in 30+ yard tight windows.

In a sense, the 6’3.5″ and 225 lbs QB is a perfect replacement for Gunner Stockton, also owing to his dual-threat prowess. Curtis has averaged 7 yards per carry and amassed an incredible 2,113 rushing yards overall. However, in this newer, aggressive NIL world, top prospects rarely wait for a year, and that has made Vandy a potential contender.

Vanderbilt currently has Diego Pavia leading the team with an 8-2 record. The playoff hopes are intact, and signature wins against LSU and Alabama have bolstered the program’s reputation since the start of the 2024 season. But Diego Pavia loses eligibility this season and will go pro. That leaves a void in the QB room, something Jared Curtis can easily fulfill.

Can Vanderbilt make a final pull for Jared Curtis from a blueblood like Kirby Smart’s Georgia?

Vanderbilt’s NIL coffers have seen rapid fundraising ever since the 2024 season concluded. Last November, the program announced new NIL donors and premium McGuin Society access plans for donors who made contributions of $50,000 or more. That worked, and by the time 2025 rolled around, Vanderbilt had raised $370 million overall, which was to be used in various capacities. “When you go to campus now and walk around, it’s a transformative place,” said SEC commissioner Greg Sankey about Vandy.

Vanderbilt should then be expected to compete with Georgia in the NIL landscape. Yes, Jared Curtis has a $1.8 million NIL value and would likely take even more. But if Georgia can raise that amount, so can Vanderbilt.

College Football is filled with examples where recruits have done what Curtis is touted to do. Bryce Underwood did the same in the 2025 class, flipping from LSU. Dylan Raiola is another example, who decommitted from Georgia and chose Nebraska. Both quarterbacks are now starters for their respective programs, along with the high-profile, seven- and eight-figure NIL packages they received. All in all, Kirby Smart probably has no choice now, apart from offering a better NIL deal, since a QB1 promise seems unlikely. Could we then see a Dylan Raiola-esque flip for Curtis, too?