The stakes are rising for 2026 5-star quarterback Jared Curtis. The Ohio State Buckeyes have their eyes on winning the national championship Monday night against Notre Dame, but this is another prize worth fighting for.
According to On3‘s Hayes Fawcett, the No. 1 ranked quarterback in the Class of 2026 has narrowed his decision down to six schools– and the Buckeyes are facing some heavy-hitting competition.
Curtis, a 6’4″, 220-pound quarterback with ties to South Carolina, is a highly regarded prospect. He’s ranked as the No. 3 quarterback for 2026 by 247 Sports and On3. He decommitted from Georgia earlier in the fall.
The other schools Curtis is considering include Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, Oregon, and South Carolina.
Curtis visited the Buckeyes multiple times already, including attending their beatdown against Indiana earlier this year.
“Talking to Coach Chip Kelly and Coach Ryan Day and going on a visit there a couple of times. That builds my relationship with them and I’m excited to get back up there.”
Though 2026 is still a way off, and circumstances can change, the Ohio State Buckeyes currently hold a favorable position in the race for Curtis, boasting a 50.3 percent chance according to On3’s recruiting prediction model.
Curtis guided his high school football team in Nashville to a remarkable 13-1 season and a state championship, showcasing his skills by completing 70% of his passes for 2,830 yards, along with 40 touchdowns and only three interceptions throughout the regular season.
Additionally, he contributed 637 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. His exceptional performance earned him the title of the 2024 Gatorade Tennessee Football Player of the Year.
