Unexpected SEC Program to Host QB Recruit With $3.5 Million NIL Valuation

The Auburn Tigers are heading into what could be a make-or-break season for head coach Hugh Freeze.

The former Liberty and Ole Miss head coach has accumulated an 11-14 record in his two seasons at the helm, and took a lot of heat for riding with quarterback Payton Thorne this past season instead of getting a transfer. It led the program to take a couple of flyers on former five-star Jackson Arnold and Stanford transfer Ashton Daniels this offseason, along with bringing in five-star freshman Deuce Knight.

However, Freeze and company aren’t done attempting to stockpile talent at the position, as they are one of the programs in the mix for the No. 1 ranked quarterback in the 2026 class, Jared Curtis.

As revealed in a report by On3’s Hayes Fawcett, Curtis has scheduled five official visits, one of which is to see Auburn.

As revealed by Fawcett, he has four visits scheduled, with Auburn getting the first crack at him from May 16-18. He will then head out West to see Oregon from June 6-8, Georgia from June 13-15 and round out his trips with South Carolina from June 20-22.

On3 has him ranked as the No. 4 player in the country and the No. 1 quarterback in the class of 2026. This past season, Curtis threw for 2,830 yards and 40 touchdowns to just three picks, while completing 70% of his passes. He also showed an ability to create with his legs, rushing for 637 yards and 18 scores.

On top of ranking as the top quarterback in the class, he also has the highest NIL Valuation in the country at $3.5 million, according to On3. A mark that is ever higher than Michigan signee Bryce Underwood.

Whichever program lands him will certainly be adding a player who can change the trajectory of the program for years to come.