It won’t take long for Vanderbilt football fans to realize five-star quarterback Jared Curtis of Nashville Christian can be a gamechanger for Clark Lea’s program. Curtis, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound dual-threat prospect, is the No. 1 quarterback nationally and No. 1 player overall from the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He’s been the subject of highlight reels in Nashville for some time, from stiff-arming defenders to launching 60-yard throws off one foot. Here’s what Vanderbilt is getting in Curtis. Jared Curtis can spread the field for Vanderbilt football Curtis’ throwing coaches, Thomas Morris and Ramon Robinson, both swear that his arm is not just ready for college, it’s ready for the NFL. Curtis clearly has elite arm strength compared to his high school pears, and it will allow Lea to spread the field. Curtis is further ahead of schedule than other 2026 recruits since he repeated a grade in middle school.Curtis doesn’t give up much velocity on off-balance throws, and he rips the ball when his feet are set.  Curtis has thrown for 9,528 yards, 123 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in four seasons at Nashville Christian. He missed more than two games this season with an ankle injury. He is just eight TDs shy of the Tennessee high school football all-time career passing record. Jared Curtis can be a dual-threat QB for Vanderbilt football Curtis isn’t known for his speed, though he’s not slow. His running skills are more rooted in his ability to stay square, remain on his feet and pick up yards — all while getting a little faster as he goes. In high school, he’s a great short-yardage option on the run. Curtis’ lower-body strength also allows him to extend plays. Curtis stiff-armed a defensive lineman to the ground during a game against Tyner Academy, then pulled up and threw a touchdown pass. Curtis has rushed for 2,199 yards and 48 TDs in four seasons at Nashville Christian. MORE: Inside Georgia football commit Jared Curtis film study session: ‘He’s creative’Why Jared Curtis, Diego Pavia are complete oppositesVanderbilt fans who enjoy Diego Pavia’s fire and penchant for the unexpected will have to adjust to Curtis. Curtis is quiet and reserved. He’ll show some flare on the football field, but during media settings he’s pretty measured. He was raised on the outskirts in Dickson County, riding horses, and building barns and fences. Curtis has been a student at Nashville Christian (enrollment 261) since middle school. Some people wonder if Curtis has seen strong enough competition playing in Tennessee high school football’s smallest private-school classification. But remember, Curtis and Nashville Christian became the first DII-A school to defeat a DII-AAA school when the Eagles took down Ensworth 42-21 in August. Curtis fared just fine: He was 20-of-30 passing for 189 yards and three touchdowns and added 131 yards and two touchdowns rushing. He won the game on a two-point conversion run. Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.He also contributes to The Tennessean’s high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What Vanderbilt football got with Jared Curtis on early signing day