Jared Curtis, the No. 1 quarterback in 2026, has the option to pick Georgia football coach Kirby Smart or Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks.

Jared Curtis, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2026 recruiting class, is one of the most sought-after high school athletes in the country. As one of the top quarterbacks in recent memory, Curtis has been courted by some of college football’s elite programs, but two schools stand out above the rest: the Georgia Bulldogs and the Oregon Ducks. With both programs featuring premier coaching talent and the opportunity to compete at the highest levels, Curtis is now tasked with making one of the most important decisions of his young career. Should he continue the Georgia Bulldogs’ dominance under head coach Kirby Smart, or should he embark on a new journey with Oregon and Dan Lanning, a rising star in college football?

This decision is about more than just the X’s and O’s of football—Curtis is choosing the coaching philosophy, player development, and future success that will define his career both in college and possibly in the NFL. Kirby Smart has built Georgia into a perennial powerhouse with a focus on discipline, physicality, and defensive dominance. On the other hand, Dan Lanning, who has quickly turned Oregon into a legitimate national contender, is known for his innovative, fast-paced offensive schemes and flexibility. These two coaches couldn’t be more different in their approaches, and Curtis is now the one who will decide which system fits his aspirations.

In this article, we’ll explore the strengths and philosophies of both coaches and programs, highlighting what makes Georgia and Oregon appealing to a talent like Jared Curtis. By comparing and contrasting Kirby Smart’s structured, championship-driven approach with Dan Lanning’s innovative, high-energy style, we’ll take a deep dive into the factors that will shape Curtis’s ultimate decision.

Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs: Consistency, Discipline, and Championship Culture

Under Kirby Smart, Georgia has become one of the most dominant programs in college football, producing NFL-caliber talent year after year. Since taking over as head coach in 2016, Smart has cultivated a culture of discipline, toughness, and relentless drive. The Bulldogs have consistently been among the top teams in the country, with Smart’s leadership bringing them to the pinnacle of college football with back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022.

Player Development and NFL Pipeline

One of the major selling points for Georgia, and specifically for Smart, is the program’s ability to develop players into NFL-ready athletes. Smart, a former Nick Saban disciple, has inherited and built upon the traditions of elite player development that Saban established at Alabama. Georgia players are consistently drafted into the NFL, and many of them go on to have successful professional careers. Smart’s ability to mold quarterbacks is also notable. Under his tenure, quarterbacks like Jake Fromm, Justin Fields, and Stetson Bennett have achieved considerable success, either leading Georgia to national championships or succeeding at the next level.

For Jared Curtis, the appeal of Georgia is not just the program’s on-field success, but its ability to prepare quarterbacks for the NFL. Smart’s defensive-minded approach often means that quarterbacks must be fundamentally sound and able to thrive under pressure, knowing that they’ll be facing some of the toughest defenses in college football. This is a particularly attractive proposition for Curtis, who is known for his poise and decision-making skills in high-stakes situations.

The Georgia System: Defense and Physicality

Smart’s Georgia teams are known for their suffocating defense and physical style of play. The Bulldogs are a power-running team, with a focus on controlling the line of scrimmage and establishing a punishing ground game. While Smart has evolved Georgia’s offense to become more balanced and dynamic, defense remains the foundation of the program. For Curtis, this means he will be surrounded by elite defensive talent that will make every practice and game a battle. The pressure to perform in such a competitive environment can be intense, but it also provides an invaluable opportunity for growth.

Curtis, who excels at reading defenses and making quick decisions, would benefit from this environment. With a defense that can shut down opposing offenses, he would have the time and space to develop his skills as a quarterback and grow into a leader. Smart’s focus on discipline and consistency will also appeal to Curtis’s desire to be part of a team that values work ethic, preparation, and team-first mentality.

The Georgia Legacy: Winning Championships

Finally, Smart’s ability to win championships is perhaps the biggest draw. Georgia’s recent back-to-back titles are a testament to Smart’s success in building a program that thrives on consistency and excellence. For Curtis, the opportunity to join a team with a clear path to a national title is hard to ignore. The Bulldogs are perennial contenders for the College Football Playoff, and Smart has proven he can navigate the pressures of the playoff system to come out on top. If Curtis wants to win championships and be part of a legacy, Georgia presents a rare opportunity to achieve his goals.

Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks: Innovation, Freedom, and Offensive Creativity

While Georgia represents consistency and championship pedigree, Oregon under Dan Lanning offers a very different kind of opportunity. Lanning, a rising star in college football, is known for his innovative and flexible approach to coaching. After serving as the defensive coordinator at Georgia, Lanning took over as head coach at Oregon in 2022, quickly transforming the Ducks into a contender in the Pac-12 and nationally.

An Offensive Revolution

Oregon’s offense, under Lanning and his staff, is dynamic and fast-paced, with an emphasis on creative playcalling, versatility, and taking advantage of mismatches. Lanning’s experience with the high-flying, up-tempo offenses at Georgia has shaped his vision for Oregon’s offensive identity. His system values both the passing and running games, blending them together to keep defenses on their toes.

For a quarterback like Jared Curtis, the idea of playing in an offensive system designed to maximize his strengths is incredibly appealing. Curtis is known for his arm strength, mobility, and ability to make explosive plays, and Oregon’s system is tailored to a quarterback with those skills. Under Lanning, Curtis would be able to run an offense that takes full advantage of his unique abilities, with creative play designs that focus on spreading the defense and creating big-play opportunities.

Lanning’s offense also gives quarterbacks a significant amount of freedom, allowing them to read the defense and make adjustments at the line of scrimmage. For a player like Curtis, who is known for his football IQ and ability to process information quickly, this could be an exciting challenge that allows him to develop his skills in ways that are less restricted than in more traditional systems.

Player Development and The NFL Pipeline

While Lanning’s system is more offensive-minded, Oregon has still produced top-tier defensive and offensive talent. Lanning’s experience as a defensive coordinator at Georgia gives him a unique perspective on how to develop well-rounded players, and his work at Oregon has shown that he is capable of turning athletes into NFL-ready players. The Ducks have recently produced players like Kayvon Thibodeaux, who was selected 5th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, as well as other stars who have gone on to successful professional careers.

For Curtis, the opportunity to be part of Oregon’s offensive revolution and to work with Lanning, a coach who knows how to develop both sides of the ball, is an enticing proposition. Oregon’s offensive system is one that will push Curtis to be creative and develop his skills in a unique environment—something that could help him stand out in the NFL draft process.

The Oregon Culture: Freedom and Flexibility

Oregon’s culture under Lanning is one of freedom, creativity, and high-energy football. The Ducks play fast, and they play with an edge, a stark contrast to Georgia’s disciplined, hard-nosed approach. For Curtis, this type of culture could be a perfect fit, especially if he wants to play in an offense that allows him to showcase his creativity and athleticism.

Moreover, Oregon’s emphasis on a family-like atmosphere within the program, where players are encouraged to be themselves and take ownership of their development, could be appealing to Curtis. This freedom allows athletes to express their personalities while pushing each other to achieve greatness.

The Decision: What Will Jared Curtis Choose?

Ultimately, Jared Curtis’s decision between Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs and Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks will come down to which program aligns more with his personal and football goals. Does he want to play in a traditional, defense-oriented program with a chance to win championships and develop under a coach known for his disciplined approach? Or does he want to be part of an innovative, high-powered offense that values freedom and creativity, allowing him to push the limits of his skill set?

At the end of the day, the choice between Georgia and Oregon is a reflection of what Curtis values most: championship success and structured development, or offensive freedom and the ability to thrive in an up-tempo, dynamic system. Whatever Curtis decides, both programs will offer him an incredible opportunity to continue his football journey, and he will undoubtedly make a lasting impact wherever he chooses to play.