[2][4] San Diego State head coach Ted Tollner compared Curtis to Tim McDonald, a defensive back whom he had previously recruited to USC.
[5] Ahead of his freshman season at San Diego State in 1995, Curtis was identified by head coach Ted Tollner as one of four true freshmen who could see playing time.
[11] Curtis was moved to the strong safety position ahead of his sophomore season in 1997, competing with junior Scott Auerbach for the starting spot.
[21] On September 12, 1998, in a defeat to USC, Curtis intercepted Trojans quarterback Carson Palmer on a pass meant for tight end Antoine Harris.
[22] Ahead of their next game against Arizona, Curtis was moved to free safety to relieve Pete Balistreri, who was dealing with a surgically repaired knee.
[26] Curtis recorded another interception two weeks later during a 10–0 win over Fresno State, picking off Billy Volek in the end zone on a pass intended for Bulldogs running back Paris Gaines.
"[29] Curtis led the team with 90 tackles and three interceptions on the season, earning second-team all-WAC Pacific Division honors for the second year in a row.
[30][31] Ahead of his senior season in 1999, Curtis was moved back to his "natural position" of strong safety by the coaching staff.
[32][33] He was named to the Jim Thorpe Award watchlist and was one of five San Diego State players selected to the preseason all-Mountain West Conference team.
[34][35] Curtis recorded nine tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection in the season opener, a 41–12 win over Division I-AA opponent South Florida.
[39][40][a] Ahead of the Aztecs' seventh game, a matchup against Colorado State, Curtis was moved yet again to free safety due to multiple injuries at the position.
[51] Curtis finished his career at San Diego State with 355 total tackles, which was at the time the second-highest mark in school history, behind only Whip Walton.
[55] Curtis was a member of the starting lineup in the Riptide's home opener – a 49–43 overtime defeat to a fellow expansion team, the Bakersfield Blitz, on April 6.
[65] The team faced the Bakersfield Blitz in the first round of the playoffs, where Curtis caught a touchdown and helped San Diego to a 40–27 victory.
[67][69] He was also named a Professional Star of the Month for August by the San Diego Hall of Champions, along with John Dutton, Morris Hatalsky, Chris Riley, and Joel Tudor.
[72] In the season finale on July 25, Curtis scored a two-yard game-winning touchdown run with 24 seconds left to lead the Riptide to a 31–28 victory over the Green Bay Blizzard.
[73] Curtis entered his third year in the af2 under a new head coach, as the Riptide hired Mouse Davis to replace Cree Morris ahead of the 2004 season.
[79] On March 28, 2022, Curtis' #37 jersey was retired by the San Diego Strike Force of the Indoor Football League (IFL) during their home opener at Pechanga Arena – the same building where he played for the Riptide.
[80] Curtis majored in psychology at San Diego State, and both of his parents attended every home and away game during his junior and senior seasons.