Oregon’s Dan Lanning has built a powerhouse program, leading the Ducks to a perfect 12-0 regular season last year and ensuring they remain a top destination for elite recruits. But despite this success, they missed out on five-star quarterback Jared Curtis, who ultimately chose Georgia.
Given how things were shaping up, Oregon football fans believed Lanning would land one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class. However, a Georgia insider recently explained why Curtis chose the Bulldogs over the Ducks.
Georgia Insider Explains Jared Curtis’ Commitment Decision Over Oregon
Five-star quarterback Curtis has made it official that he’s heading to Georgia. The top QB prospect in the 2026 recruiting class had already given a verbal commitment in March 2024, so this latest decision just seals the deal.
But for a while, it looked like Oregon almost landed him on their roster. The Ducks made a big push, highlighting their track record of developing star quarterbacks like Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel. Even Curtis praised Oregon’s program and its ability to shape elite talent, making them a real contender.
But in the end, Curtis reaffirmed his commitment to Georgia on May 5. His decision now makes him the centerpiece of Georgia’s 2026 recruiting class, which was ranked No. 26 nationally before his commitment.
So, what kept Curtis from choosing Oregon? Georgia insider Rusty Mansell said it wasn’t about coaching, NIL money, or even the top-tier facilities. It came down to something much simpler—location.
Speaking to “That SEC Football Podcast,” Rusty Manshell said, “I think the biggest thing that hurts Oregon is location… Like, people I know that go—and Dan Lanning is a hell of a dude… And they recruited this kid hard. Like, they were all in on Curtis. They have the Nike brand behind them. I don’t care what amount of money they do—everybody says their facilities are crazy.”
Curtis and his family live in Nashville. That made Georgia a much more realistic option for the young prospect. Traveling from Tennessee to Oregon every weekend during football season would have been tough, especially with a young grandchild in the picture.
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Manshell explained, “You think about six Fridays every football season, you gotta jump on a plane from Nashville, you gotta fly to Portland, and then you gotta drive what, an hour and a half, two hours—to Eugene, you know?”
In the end, it wasn’t Oregon’s fault. They did everything right. But family and home played a bigger role in Curtis’ heart. The reality of cross-country travel was a challenge they couldn’t overcome. As a result, the Ducks lost out on one of the top quarterbacks in the nation.
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