Georgia’s future star quarterback pushing a projected $355,000 playmaker to join the Dawgs.

ATHENS, GA — The next great Georgia quarterback isn’t just preparing to dominate the SEC — he’s already playing GM behind the scenes.

In a compelling twist to the 2026 recruiting cycle, Jared Curtis, the Bulldogs’ crown jewel under center and future face of the program, has emerged as a primary recruiter in Georgia’s pursuit of a projected $355,000 NIL-valued playmaker, multiple sources close to the program confirm.

The five-star quarterback from Nashville — who committed to Georgia in early 2024 over Alabama, Texas, and Oregon — is using every ounce of his influence to bring one of the most electrifying offensive weapons in the country to Athens.

And based on whispers around campus and in recruiting circles, the Dawgs may be close to pulling it off.

“Jared’s not just committed to Georgia — he’s committed to building something elite here,” said a source inside UGA’s recruiting department. “He knows talent attracts talent. And this kid he’s working on? He could be a game-changer.”

While NCAA rules prevent public comments on unsigned prospects, recruiting insiders and NIL valuation firms believe the player in question is 5-star ATH/WR Kaden Rankins, a top-15 national prospect from California with a reported NIL market value of $355,000.

Rankins is:

• 6-foot-1, 195 pounds
• Clocked a 4.39 40-yard dash
• Accounted for 2,100 all-purpose yards in his junior season
• Capable of playing outside receiver, slot, punt returner, and even some wildcat quarterback
• Projects as a Day 1 starter in the SEC

With offers from Georgia, USC, Texas, LSU, and Oregon, Rankins has one of the nation’s most aggressive NIL packages being courted. He is expected to make his commitment before the early signing period in December — and Jared Curtis is making sure UGA is front and center in that decision.

Since pledging to Georgia, Curtis has become one of the most visible and vocal recruiters in the country. He texts targets, hosts unofficial visitors, and frequently posts cryptic emojis on social media that recruiting fans dissect like tea leaves.

But with Rankins, sources say Curtis has taken his efforts to another level:

• Direct phone calls every week
• Coordinated summer camp visit in Athens
• Private 7-on-7 workouts in Atlanta during June
• Group chat with fellow Georgia commits encouraging Rankins to “come be legendary”

“We can be the best class Georgia’s ever signed,” Curtis told On3. “But that only happens if we get dogs. Kaden is one. I’m not letting him go to the West Coast without a fight.”

Curtis is known not just for his elite arm and football IQ, but for his charisma and natural leadership. Coaches call him “magnetic.” Recruits call him “cool, but real.” He’s already walking the walk of a franchise quarterback.

Georgia’s pursuit of Rankins lines up perfectly with its evolving offensive identity. After years of being known for defense-first, power-run football, the Bulldogs have shifted into an explosive, balanced attack under OC Mike Bobo.

In 2024:

• Georgia averaged 41.3 points per game
• Ranked top-5 nationally in explosive plays (20+ yards)
• Used 11 personnel sets (3 WRs) on 63% of offensive snaps

Rankins has taken note.

“Coach Smart told me: ‘We’re not asking you to block 50 snaps. We’re asking you to break the game open,’” Rankins told 247Sports. “They’re building something scary.”

UGA also emphasized:

• Immediate playing time, with three top receivers graduating in 2025
• NIL synergy, working through their Classic City Collective for tailored deals
• National visibility, with 9 of 12 regular season games projected for primetime slots

And, of course, Jared Curtis.

Rankins’ $355,000 valuation comes from a blend of projected local endorsements, team-based NIL payouts, and personal brand monetization. Georgia, while not the highest-paying program on paper, is seen as one of the most structured and sustainable NIL ecosystems in the country.

Key points of Georgia’s pitch include:

• Multi-year, performance-based NIL structure that escalates with production
• Connections to Atlanta-based marketing firms and media outlets
• Mentorship from former UGA stars like George Pickens and Brock Bowers

The Bulldogs’ NIL collective also leverages former players like Matthew Stafford and Sony Michel to participate in Zoom calls with recruits, offering long-term brand vision.

“It’s not just about Year 1,” said a source from Classic City Collective. “We talk about NFL prep, equity deals, media training. That’s what appeals to kids like Kaden.”

Georgia’s battle for Rankins is far from over.

• USC has home-field advantage, with Lincoln Riley personally involved and Los Angeles-based deals on the table.
• Oregon is offering a large upfront NIL figure, rumored to top $500,000, and features a Nike-centric pitch that appeals to Rankins’ interest in fashion and design.
• Texas is pushing its own Curtis-like recruiter in Arch Manning and emphasizing the return of WR coach Chris Jackson, known for developing NFL-ready receivers.

But insiders believe Georgia now leads, thanks in large part to the Curtis-Rankins relationship.

“Texas may offer more. Oregon may flash more,” said one recruiting analyst. “But Georgia’s got the plan — and they’ve got Jared.”

Kirby Smart, always meticulous in his approach to culture and chemistry, has long emphasized the importance of peer-to-peer recruitment — and Curtis is a masterclass in that strategy.

“The best recruiters on our staff are our players,” Smart said during a spring media availability. “Stars want to play with stars. When a guy like Jared Curtis believes in you, that matters more than anything a coach can say.”

UGA staff are giving Curtis space to lead, while reinforcing his efforts with consistent communication and development plans for Rankins.

The message? This is your team — build it.

Rankins visited Athens for his official visit in mid-June, and by all accounts, it was a home run.

Highlights included:

• Private film session with Curtis and OC Mike Bobo
• Golf cart tour with Carson Beck and Mykel Williams
• Custom locker room presentation featuring Rankins’ high school highlights cut over Georgia’s game-day intro
• A surprise FaceTime from Anthony Edwards, now with the Timberwolves, congratulating Rankins on the opportunity to be “the next Georgia legend”

The visit ended with Rankins and Curtis riding scooters down Milledge Avenue, followed by dinner with several current players and top 2026 commits.

“He couldn’t stop smiling,” said one Georgia recruiting assistant. “He looked like he was already home.”

Rankins is expected to announce his commitment in December, but many believe he could move sooner if Georgia lands one more top offensive recruit, creating a “package scenario.”

Curtis has hinted at this multiple times on Twitter/X, recently posting:

“They see what we building. They want in. 😈🐶 #Dawgs2026”

Rankins is said to be “80% decided,” with Georgia surging and USC fading.

Georgia has been dominant on the field — but now, it’s crafting the next era of offense, with Jared Curtis at the helm and a wave of elite skill talent on the horizon.

Rankins is a critical piece of that puzzle. Pairing him with Curtis could redefine Georgia’s offensive identity for years to come.

• Imagine Rankins in motion, drawing double teams.
• Imagine Curtis uncorking 60-yard bombs into the end zone.
• Imagine Sanford Stadium roaring under the lights as the next great Bulldog duo rises together.

This isn’t just a recruiting battle. It’s a recruiting statement.

Jared Curtis hasn’t thrown a pass for Georgia yet — but he’s already changing the future.

He’s calling plays off the field, orchestrating relationships, and showing the kind of initiative that makes coaches dream and fanbases believe.

If he gets his guy, and Kaden Rankins dons the red and black?

The rest of college football better take notice.

Because in Athens, the Dawgs aren’t just coming.

They’re building something unstoppable.