In a stunning turn of events, five-star quarterback Jared Curtis has announced his decision to flip his commitment to the South Carolina Gamecocks, choosing them over previously favored programs such as Alabama, Tennessee, and Nebraska. Curtis, a highly touted signal caller out of the 2025 recruiting class, had previously committed to Alabama earlier in the recruiting cycle, but his recent change of heart signals a major victory for South Carolina’s football program under head coach Shane Beamer.
Curtis, a dual-threat quarterback with impressive athleticism and a strong arm, had long been considered one of the top prospects in the nation. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing in at 220 pounds, his physical traits and football IQ made him a coveted recruit. He garnered attention from nearly every major program across the country, but his commitment to Alabama initially set the recruiting world abuzz. Despite Alabama’s reputation for producing NFL-caliber quarterbacks under head coach Nick Saban, Curtis had begun to explore other options as his recruitment continued to evolve.
The Gamecocks’ decision to pursue Curtis aggressively paid off, as they were able to win his commitment in the face of stiff competition from some of the nation’s top programs. Curtis’ commitment to South Carolina marks a significant shift for the program, which has historically struggled to land top-tier quarterback recruits. With a strong class already in place for the 2025 cycle, the addition of Curtis is a clear sign of South Carolina’s rising stock in college football recruiting.
Why did Curtis flip to South Carolina? The primary reason appears to be the personal connection he developed with the coaching staff, particularly Shane Beamer and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. Curtis had the chance to visit South Carolina multiple times throughout the recruiting process, and each trip seemed to strengthen his bond with the program. Beamer’s vision for the future, combined with Loggains’ offensive system, made South Carolina a more appealing option as Curtis looked for a program that could offer him both development and immediate playing time.
Alabama, Tennessee, and Nebraska were all considered strong contenders in Curtis’ recruitment. Alabama, as mentioned, had been Curtis’ original choice, largely due to the program’s long-standing success and development of quarterbacks. Tennessee had built momentum in its recruiting efforts under head coach Josh Heupel, and Nebraska had emerged as a dark horse candidate, thanks to new head coach Matt Rhule’s rejuvenation of the program. Despite the allure of these powerhouse programs, Curtis ultimately felt that South Carolina’s combination of coaching staff, opportunity, and offensive system was the right fit for his future.
The flip is a major win for South Carolina, which has been making strides on the recruiting trail. With Curtis in the fold, the Gamecocks now have a dynamic quarterback who will provide the program with an added level of excitement and potential moving forward. The next few years in Columbia will undoubtedly see a shift as Curtis looks to lead the Gamecocks back to prominence in the SEC.