Bowe Bentley, a top 10 quarterback in the 2026 class, may decide between Oklahoma and Georgia based on number 1 overall QB Jared Curtis’ commitment. Explore why Bentley is a perfect fit for Oklahoma’s offense.
As the 2026 college football recruiting cycle heats up, one name that has been dominating headlines is Bowe Bentley. While several powerhouse programs, including Oklahoma, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State and Florida State, have expressed strong interest, Bentley’s final choice may hinge on another highly sought-after recruit—Jared Curtis. With Georgia’s head coach Kirby Smart aggressively pursuing both quarterbacks, Curtis’ ultimate decision between Georgia and Oregon could influence Bentley’s recruitment in significant ways. This evolving dynamic is likely to shake itself out between now and mid May.
Curtis recently confirmed that he intends to announce his commitment on May 5th. His decision adds another layer of intrigue to Bentley’s recruitment, as the two quarterbacks have been closely linked throughout the process. Bentley, ranked as the 10th overall QB in the 2026 class by 247 Sports, will likely follow suit shortly after Curtis. As both recruits continue to weigh their options, their intertwined decisions could have a major impact on the recruiting landscape.
Why Bowe Bentley’s decision could depend on Jared Curtis’ commitment
Bowe Bentley is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 class. With his combination of size, mobility, and arm strength, he’s a coveted prospect for major programs across the country. Bentley, currently a standout at Celina High School (Celina, TX), has already made a name for himself on the national stage. His scouting report highlights his dual-threat ability, impressive arm strength, and command over a diverse offense. Bentley balled out in 2024, leading his team to a 16-0 season and the Texas 4A Division I state championship, racking up over 4,200 total yards and 63 touchdowns during his junior season.
Bentley recently wrapped up a series of spring visits, making stops at several elite programs, including Georgia, Florida State, LSU, Ohio State, and Florida State. However, despite all the options, one thing has become clear: his decision may hinge on Jared Curtis’ commitment.
Battle for Bowe Bentley’s commitment
Georgia and Oklahoma have seemed to be the frontrunners for Bentley’s recruitment, and each program presents a unique set of advantages. Let’s break down why these two teams are at the forefront.
Georgia’s Pitch: Under head coach Kirby Smart, Georgia has solidified itself as one of the top college football programs, consistently producing top-tier talent. Bentley praised Kirby Smart’s vibe during his visit, “Georgia was as good of a visit as any of them – and their practice was the best I saw on the trip,” Bentley told On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “[I] had a great conversation with Coach Smart. Love his intensity and his competitiveness is like mine.” The Bulldogs have become known for their dominant defense and developing elite quarterbacks, such as Stetson Bennett and Justin Fields. With Smart’s continued success in recruiting, Georgia is seen as a prime landing spot for Bentley. Jared Curtis’ May 5th decision looms large for the Dawgs and Bentley both.
Oklahoma’s Appeal: On the other hand, Oklahoma, is only 163 miles from Bentley’s home town of Celina, TX. Led by head coach Brent Venables, Oklahoma has established itself as a historically quarterback-friendly program. Over the years, the Sooners have churned out prolific quarterbacks, most recently with the likes of Caleb Williams and Jalen Hurts. Oklahoma’s hiring of Ben Arbuckle from Washington State – who brings a variant of the air-raid offense along with a track record of developing quarterbacks in his own right – are compelling reasons why Bentley is seriously considering the Sooners. Additionally, the momentum in Bentley’s recruitment is leaning toward Oklahoma, with the On3 prediction currently favoring the Sooners at 45.3% as of 03/24/2025.
Bowe Bentley’s fit in the new Oklahoma offense under Ben Arbuckle
With the recent hiring of Ben Arbuckle as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, the Sooners are primed to continue their tradition of developing high-level quarterbacks within a fast-paced, high-powered system. Arbuckle, who joined Oklahoma from Washington State, brings a wealth of experience in building prolific offenses. He’s already proven his ability to develop quarterbacks like Bailey Zappe at Western Kentucky, who set NCAA records for passing yards and touchdowns, and Austin Reed, who threw for over 4,000 yards in a single season. Arbuckle also coached soon to be top 5 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft Cam Ward at Washington State. Arbuckle has the receipts.
Oklahoma’s offense, which operates with an Air Raid-influenced system, emphasizes a high-volume passing attack designed to stretch defenses and create explosive plays. Arbuckle’s addition to the coaching staff signals that the Sooners will continue to develop quarterbacks who excel in a pass-heavy offense who have dual threat ability to be able to contribute in run game concepts as well. Enter Bowe Bentley, whose skillset and abilities make him an ideal fit for this system.
Bentley has the mobility and arm strength to succeed in Oklahoma’s aggressive offensive scheme. His ability to make plays both with his legs and his arm makes him similar to John Mateer, a quarterback who transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma with Arbuckle. Much like Bentley, Mateer has showcased a strong dual-threat skill set, excelling both as a passer and a runner, and would serve as a good comparison for the type of quarterback Arbuckle is likely to develop further at Oklahoma.
Bentley’s athleticism, paired with his elastic throwing motion, allows him to generate velocity while on the move—something that fits perfectly within Oklahoma’s system. Whether working from the pocket or rolling out, Bentley’s tape shows that he has the ability to make precise throws on the run. His ability to layer passes into tight windows and show touch on deep throws will allow him to stretch defenses, a crucial element of the Air Raid attack. Given Bentley’s skill set and Arbuckle’s proven track record with similar quarterbacks, it’s clear that Oklahoma could be the perfect landing spot for him, offering the development he needs to succeed at the highest level.
Where will the dominoes fall?
Recent reports also highlight Bentley’s visit to Georgia Tech, scheduled for March 29th, which adds another layer of intrigue to his recruitment. The visit will give him the chance to evaluate one of the top programs in the ACC and a program that is viewed as one on the rise across all of college football – producing the 21st overall recruiting class for the 2025 cycle.
Bentley’s recruitment is now at a crossroads as he wraps up his OV’s, with his decision seemingly heavily tied to Curtis’ choice. When the Curtis scale tips in either Georgia or Oregon’s favor on May 5th, I would expect Bentley to wrap up his decision making process shortly thereafter. I would also not be surprised if Oklahoma gets the nod from Bentley before Curtis announces his commitment. The scheme fit in Norman, Arbuckle’s track record with QB’s and the proximity to Celina seem like a match made in heaven in my opinion.
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