How Tennessee, Georgia football commits George MacIntyre, Jared Curtis are bound by common thread
Curtis and MacIntyre share the same trainer, QB Country Nashville’s trainer Thomas Morris, who uses the word “blessed” a lot when talking about them.
“You could see glimpses of (their talent) when they were young," said Morris, who also trained Minchey and Reed. "You knew if they kept developing and stay hungry, they could be something special. They have things you can’t coach and can’t teach.”
MacIntyre and Curtis also use the same sports marketing agency, QB Reps, to handle financial agreements as they navigate Tennessee high school football’s new Name, Image and Likeness landscape. The TSSAA amended its amateur rule in 2022 to allow NIL payments.
Curtis and MacIntyre both have multi-year endorsement deals with Leaf Trading Cards, as well as partnerships with Hattie B's Hot Chicken and several other deals that QB Reps does not disclose, their agent Peter Webb said.
"They've handled it fantastically," Webb said. "I think a lot of kids across the country get distracted with the new world (of NIL). But they've kind of let us handle the endorsement opportunities, kept focused with a great strategy of not doing a bunch of (appearances), being patient, and just trying to throw touchdown passes. They both look at it like, 'Hey, I'm really lucky.'"
Curtis and MacIntyre have chatted about the pressures they face and keep in touch by phone.
“We just talk about life, stuff like that,” Curtis said. “We talk about stuff like (the “overrated” chants) and laugh about it. I don’t think it really bothers him, and it doesn’t really bother me anymore.”
Curtis is 44-of-63 passing for 707 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions through three games for Nashville Christian (2-1). He also has 157 yards rushing and five TDs.
“I think in games, he runs around a lot and tries to get guys open downfield, which I can't see because it’s not something you can work on in training," MacIntyre said.
MacIntyre is 68-of-101 passing for 924 yards and three TDs with two interceptions for Brentwood Academy (3-1).
“He has a really tight spin on the ball,” Curtis said. “His release is really good.”
Last offseason, Curtis briefly considered transferring to Baylor, one of Brentwood Academy's Division II-AAA East Region rivals. Nashville fans would have had to travel to Baylor to see Curtis and MacIntyre match up on the same field.
Now, they can see one or the other most Friday nights. Nashville Christian coach Jeff Brothers, a former Brentwood Academy quarterback and teammate of MacIntyre’s dad, Matt, has noticed more casual fans at games. He assumes they want to see Curtis.
By Tyler Palmateer via. The Tennessean
