Last week, buzz emerged about Jared Curtis, the standout quarterback for the class of 2026, who is set to announce his college commitment on May 5. As the nation’s top quarterback and the second-best player overall, Curtis faces a tough decision between two football powerhouses: Oregon and Georgia.
In the 2026 recruitment landscape, Curtis is one among 26 highly-rated quarterbacks, with about half still undecided as April rolls in. His decision is likely to set off a chain reaction in the recruiting world, as other players may follow suit with their own commitments.
With this in mind, let’s dive into the current state of the blue-chip quarterback market as we brace for a busy few weeks in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
1. Jared Curtis, Nashville (Tenn.) Christian School
- Ranking: Five-star, No. 1 QB, No. 2 Overall
- Status: Uncommitted
Previously committed to Georgia in March 2024, Curtis retracted his commitment in October. While Georgia remains in the mix, it’s hard to count out Oregon in any recruiting battle these days. This decision promises to be riveting, along with what the alternate plan will be for the school that misses out on Curtis.
2. Faizon Brandon, Greensboro (N.C.) Grimsley
- Ranking: Five-star, No. 2 QB, No. 6 Overall
- Status: Committed to Tennessee
Brandon firmly committed to Tennessee back in August and hasn’t entertained any other schools since. Despite persistent outreach from both LSU and Alabama, Brandon seems steadfast in his decision.
3. Dia Bell, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage
- Ranking: Five-star, No. 3 QB, No. 11 Overall
- Status: Committed to Texas
Bell, who quickly committed to Texas after receiving an offer in June 2024, has remained loyal to the Longhorns despite attractive offers from Georgia, Alabama, and Texas A&M.
4. Ryder Lyons, Folsom (Calif.) High
- Ranking: Five-star, No. 4 QB, No. 16 Overall
- Status: Uncommitted
Lyons’ recruitment offers quite the twist. Though he’s classified under the 2026 class, he intends to take a Mormon mission post-high school, making his timeline akin to a 2027 recruit. While USC appeared as the frontrunner—given that his brother Walker is a tight end on the team—Lyons has recently shifted gears, highlighting his keen interest in Oregon, BYU, and Michigan. This is one to watch closely.
5. Keisean Henderson, Spring (Texas) Legacy The School of Sport Sciences
- Ranking: Five-star, No. 5 QB, No. 17 Overall
- Status: Committed to Houston
A natural athlete, Henderson’s versatility has piqued interest for roles beyond quarterback, including defensive back or receiver. Yet, Houston believes in him as their quarterback, securing his commitment last May. The challenge will be maintaining this commitment with larger programs on the horizon.
6. Landon Duckworth, Jackson (Ala.) High
- Ranking: Four-star, No. 6 QB, No. 53 Overall
- Status: Uncommitted
Duckworth has plans to visit Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida State, but he recently noted Ole Miss as his current frontrunner.
7. Brady Smigiel, Newbury Park (Calif.) High
- Ranking: Four-star, No. 7 QB, No. 67 Overall
- Status: Uncommitted
After opening his recruitment in January, Smigiel, who previously committed to Florida State, is eyeing Washington and South Carolina in his final choices, along with Michigan and UCLA.
8. Jonas Williams, Frankfort (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East
- Ranking: Four-star, No. 8 QB, No. 88 Overall
- Status: Committed to USC
Initially committed to Oregon, Williams was swayed by a concentrated effort from USC and joined their ranks in February.
9. Jake Fette, El Paso (Texas) Del Valle
- Ranking: Four-star, No. 9 QB, No. 110 Overall
- Status: Committed to Arizona State
Although firmly committed to the Sun Devils since September, recent offers from LSU, Ole Miss, and Auburn add a layer of intrigue to his future.
10. Bowe Bentley, Celina (Texas) High
- Ranking: Four-star, No. 10 QB, No. 123 Overall
- Status: Uncommitted
Bentley’s reduced list to three indicates Georgia may turn to him if Curtis heads to Oregon. Meanwhile, Oklahoma, despite already having Jaden O’Neal committed, and LSU, in search of a 2026 quarterback, are also in pursuit.
A top-notch gathering looms for Bowe Bentley:
- Georgia: June 6-8
- Oklahoma: June 13-15
- LSU: June 20-22
11. Jaden O’Neal, Mustang (Okla.) High
- Ranking: Four-star, No. 11 QB, No. 138 Overall
- Status: Committed to Oklahoma
O’Neal’s relocation to Oklahoma for his senior year aligns him geographically with the Sooners, who gained his commitment under former offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, now replaced. As he also explores Florida State, O’Neal’s allegiance remains one to observe.
12. Noah Grubbs, Lake Mary (Fla.) High
- Ranking: Four-star, No. 12 QB, No. 176 Overall
- Status: Committed to Notre Dame
Since committing to Notre Dame in June, Grubbs has not entertained visits from other schools.
13. Dereon Coleman, Orlando (Fla.) Jones
- Ranking: Four-star, No. 13 QB, No. 197 Overall
- Status: Committed to Miami
Coleman’s commitment to the Hurricanes has stood firm since July.
14. Helaman Casuga, Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon
- Ranking: Four-star, No. 14 QB, No. 201 Overall
- Status: Committed to Texas A&M
Casuga seems locked into his commitment with Texas A&M since October.
15. Will Griffin, Tampa Jesuit
- Ranking: Four-star, No. 15 QB, No. 231 Overall
- Status: Committed to Florida
Griffin’s commitment to Florida is unshakable, as it’s his dream school, finalized in June.
Nos. 16-26
This group holds a wealth of potential, with eight top quarterbacks still uncommitted:
- Oscar Rios, No. 233 overall, uncommitted
- Peyton Falzone, No. 247 overall, uncommitted
- Matt Ponatoski, No. 249 overall, uncommitted
- Troy Huhn, No. 264 overall, Penn State
- Jett Thomalla, No. 292 overall, uncommitted
- Tait Reynolds, No. 299 overall, Clemson
- Gavin Sidwar, No. 335 overall, uncommitted
- Luke Fahey, No. 339 overall, uncommitted
- Tayden Kaawa, No. 340 overall, uncommitted
- Kayd Coffman, No. 351 overall, Michigan State
- Derek Zammit, No. 390 overall, uncommitted
Rios, initially tied to Purdue, is now exploring other programs and will visit multiple schools. Both Falzone and Ponatoski are making their rounds with college visits, and several schools are showing interest, particularly in Ponatoski’s dual athletic potential in football and baseball.
As Thomalla narrows his choices and Sidwar looks to excite interested parties, the decisions from this group will shake up the scene.
Programs to Watch
With both Georgia and Oregon vying for Curtis, the road ahead could change dramatically based on his decision. Powerhouses Alabama and Ohio State haven’t secured a top quarterback yet for 2026, but they face competition from younger recruits who may already fill spots. Colorado, already eyeing Julian Lewis, sits in a similar position. As North Carolina boasts a top-notch recruit from 2025, their next moves are worth watching.
