Georgia quarterback commit Jared Curtis inks first major NIL deal with Leaf Trading Cards
It’s been an eventful few days for Class of 2026 quarterback Jared Curtis.
First, on Saturday, the No. 3 quarterback in the country committed to Georgia, giving the Bulldogs a massive head start on the 2026 recruiting class. Then on Monday, the Nashville Christian standout signed what appears to be his first NIL deal.
Leaf Trading Cards announced Monday that it’s releasing a trading card featuring Curtis. The 2024 Leaf Metal NextGen Jared Curtis autograph card is available for preorder on the company’s website for $79.99. The card ships in three to four weeks after April 4, Leaf’s website says.
Because Curtis plays high school football in Tennessee, he can partake in NIL activities without losing eligibility. The Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association is one of the 35 local athletic organizations across the country that allows NIL deals for its high school student-athletes.
The exact number of high school associations that allow NIL is still somewhat hazy because of limitations with some activities and pending state legislation. Nonetheless, there’s been a significant shift over the past year in how high school administrators view NIL and it’s now allowed in a majority of states from coast-to-coast. For example, the TSSAA amended its bylaws in December 2023 to allow NIL.
That move opened the door for Curtis – a four-star recruit who ranks as one of the best overall players in the 2026 class – to build his brand while he’s still in high school. The card will also surely be a hit with Georgia fans, looking to grab a piece of memorabilia from a potential future star.
This isn’t the first time Leaf inked an NIL deal with a blue-chip high school quarterback. Last October, Leaf released a trading card featuring 2025 quarterback Julian Lewis, a top-10 recruit and USC commit from Georgia.
What is Georgia getting with Jared Curtis?
Jared Curtis picked UGA over the likes of Ohio State, Alabama and Tennessee. In 2023, Curtis threw for 2,522 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He added 543 yards and 13 scores on the ground, showing off his dual-threat abilities.
Georgia’s relationship with Curtis had been building for some time, with several visits to Athens under his belt already.
“I love the way they continue to win and they are a great team and any quarterback that goes there will always have talent around them,” Curtis told On3 recently. “I feel that they will recruit the best of the best and they are a powerhouse school that will start to take over for sure. Those things stand out about Georgia.”
Thomas Morris of Nashville QB Country trains Curtis and had high praise.
“Jared is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks I’ve ever trained,” Morris told DawgsHQ. “He has the strongest arm I’ve trained at this level. Usually, when people have this much power they have a hard time honing it in. Jared doesn’t. He can throw every throw and he has great touch. He can layer, he can place it where he wants to but still throw it 70 yards.
“Jared reminds me of Josh Allen. Big, strong, athletic, physical quarterback. He’s tough and kind of plays like a linebacker at times. He has all the arm talent in the world but can also move and get you out of a jam with his feet. Don’t underestimate that part of Jared’s game.”