Carson Beck: A Rising Star in College Football
Carson Beck has made remarkable strides since serving as the backup to Stetson Bennett during Georgia’s back-to-back national championships. In a time when transferring has become the norm, Beck’s choice to stay in Athens is paying off. After an outstanding first year as a starter in 2023, where he led the Bulldogs to a 13-1 record and just missed the College Football Playoff, Beck is now one of the most talked-about players heading into his senior season.
Leading the Elite
While quarterbacks like Quinn Ewers (Texas), Jaxon Dart (Ole Miss), and Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) boast impressive skills, Beck stands at the helm of what many consider the best program in college football. With Georgia winning 29 of its last 30 games, it’s clear that their quarterback plays a crucial role. CBS Sports analyst Josh Pate even calls Beck the most important player in the SEC—and potentially in the nation—for the 2024 season.
“I think Carson Beck is the most important football player in the conference this year,” Pate stated on a recent episode of the Late Kick podcast. “If I knew nothing more about the SEC than Carson Beck’s going to play at an A-minus or B level, I wouldn’t need to know anything else. That’s the best team in the conference. They’re going to win it and may go on to win it all if Carson Beck does nothing more.”
Proving His Worth
Skeptics quickly silenced their doubts about Beck stepping up for Bennett after he orchestrated two second-half comebacks against Auburn and South Carolina early last season. These performances marked a turning point in his confidence. Beck led the conference with 3,941 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions, helping the Bulldogs finish fifth in the nation for points and yards.
“If I know nothing more than that dude is just going to play to his full potential, he’s going to justify everyone who’s mocked him in the first round of the NFL draft next year,” Pate added. “Georgia’s good enough everywhere else. They’ve got the quarterback, head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator. They have continuity across the board. It’s one of, if not the best, cultures in college football.”
A Strong Supporting Cast
The Bulldogs return 16 players from the 2023 season, including Beck’s favorite target outside of Brock Bowers, wide receiver Dominic Lovett. They also enhanced their roster with seven transfers, including projected starting running back Trevor Etienne from Florida.
“They have a solid, and probably underrated, group of receivers, including the tight end position and a talented running back from Florida,” Pate remarked.
National Contenders
Beck’s skills should instill fear not only in SEC opponents but also on a national scale. With the playoff expanding to 12 teams, Beck and the Bulldogs are likely to be a postseason fixture. Winning the SEC and securing a bye week is the first step toward that goal.
“I think Carson Beck is an extremely important player, the most important in the SEC. You could argue he’s the most important player in the country because any other team’s hopes of navigating the SEC to Atlanta depend on a potential weak spot in Athens. If there isn’t one, it’s going to be a tough out.”
