Jared Curtis, a highly sought-after four-star player in the 2025 football recruiting class, has made his long-awaited decision: he will be committing to Ohio State University, choosing the Buckeyes over two powerhouse programs—Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide. His decision sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting world, as it defied the expectations many had for him. Curtis, a versatile player with an impressive blend of speed, agility, and intelligence, was projected to be one of the most coveted recruits of the cycle. His choice to head to Ohio State not only shocked fans but raised questions about the state of recruiting, the role of traditional football powerhouses, and what it means for the future of college football.
Ohio State’s victory in securing Curtis’s commitment comes as no surprise to some, but it remains a significant coup for the Buckeyes. The program has been consistently strong under head coach Ryan Day, and its ability to develop players at every position is well-known. Curtis’s decision to pick Ohio State over Tennessee and Alabama raises eyebrows, especially considering the explosive growth of Tennessee under Josh Heupel and the near-constant dominance of Nick Saban’s Alabama. Both programs had made significant efforts to woo Curtis, but ultimately, it was the allure of Ohio State’s offensive system and the opportunity to be part of a team on the cusp of a national championship that tipped the scales.
For Tennessee, Curtis’s decision was a bitter pill to swallow. The Volunteers had been pushing hard, building relationships with him over the past year. Under Heupel, Tennessee has become a contender, particularly with its high-powered offense that has captivated the nation. The Volunteers had an edge with their rising stature and exciting playstyle. However, in the end, Curtis’s desire for a more traditional program with a proven track record in competing at the highest level ultimately led him to Ohio State. Tennessee fans were left questioning if their success could ever truly rival the top dogs, no matter how much momentum they built.
Alabama, on the other hand, found Curtis’s rejection to be particularly jarring. Known for its relentless pursuit of the best recruits and its reputation as a breeding ground for NFL talent, the Crimson Tide had every reason to believe that Curtis would be a natural fit. The program’s history of developing top-tier talent and its leadership under Saban has made Alabama the gold standard in college football. Yet, even Alabama, with all its tradition and success, was unable to seal the deal with Curtis, leaving the program to re-evaluate its recruiting strategies.
The controversy surrounding Curtis’s decision is not just about which school he chose, but what it reveals about the evolving nature of college football recruiting. Curtis’s choice underscores the increasing power of programs that can offer more than just tradition—they offer a clear vision of how players fit into their offensive and defensive systems. Ohio State, with its combination of tradition and innovative playcalling, seems to have struck the perfect balance. In contrast, programs like Tennessee and Alabama, despite their historical success, may need to adapt to the changing landscape of college football if they hope to continue attracting top-tier talent.
Curtis himself is now the subject of intense scrutiny. Many are asking if he is making the right choice by going to Ohio State. Will he get the playing time he deserves, or will he be lost in the shuffle of other highly-rated recruits? His decision to pass up on Tennessee and Alabama could signal a new era of recruiting, where the biggest schools with the longest traditions are no longer the automatic choices for elite prospects.
In the end, Jared Curtis’s commitment to Ohio State is a reminder of how much power recruits now hold in shaping the future of college football. It is a sign that the top programs are not immune to the changing dynamics of the sport. His choice has raised the stakes for everyone involved in recruiting, and it remains to be seen how this will affect the landscape of college football in the years to come. For now, all eyes will be on Curtis as he begins his career in Columbus, and how his decision plays out will shape the future of recruiting for years to come.
