Tag: Carson beck

Should Carson Beck declare for the NFL draft?

Georgia Bulldogs quaterback Carson Beck can either stay for another college football season or declare for the 2025 NFL draft.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has seen his 2025 NFL draft stock fall down significantly since the beginning of the 2024 college football season. In August, some media pundits considered him to be the best quarterback and the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Unfortunately, Beck struggled once SEC play began, throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns against the SEC (12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions). When it looked like he seemed to finally turn a corner, he suffered an elbow injury in the SEC championship.

It remains to be seen whether he can play another game for Georgia, but he technically still has another year of eligibility if he doesn’t want to declare for the 2025 NFL draft.

What are the pros and cons of each draft decision for Beck.

If Carson Beck declares for the NFL draft

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

So far, there aren’t any major drafting sites that have Carson Beck selected in the first round. With his turnover issues and injury rehab, it could be considered a risk for teams to draft him that early.

Tankathon has the Cleveland Browns selecting him in the third round with the 69th pick. On the NFL mock draft database, he is the fifth-ranked quarterback prospect.

Then again, the draft stock of quarterbacks usually rises as the draft gets closer. Quarterbacks are always in high demand, and there are almost always teams that are willing to overdraft a quarterback to lead their offense. Plus, there are many that believe the 2025 quarterback class is weak.

If Carson Beck stays at Georgia

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Carson Beck could benefit from staying another year at Georgia. With an extra year, he could put this down year behind him with a great 2025. He could further improve his skills, develop chemistry with his wide receivers, and show more in both the stats and the eye test.

Of course, it could backfire for some. Take Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers. In October 2023, Ewers was mocked to go as high as No. 11 in the 2024 NFL draft. However, he decided to stay another year at Texas so that he could improve his draft stock even further.

Unfortunately, with injuries and ineffectiveness in 2024, his draft stock slipped to the point where Tankathon predicts him going in the late second round. Ewers should still have a chance to improve his draft stock in the playoffs, but his draft stock is far from where it was in 2023.

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That’s not to mention that the 2026 quarterback class could be stronger than 2025. Arch Manning, Nico Iamaleava, Drew Allar, LaNorris Sellers, and Garrett Nussmeier are all players that could declare for the 2026 NFL draft. Nussmeier and Allar also could’ve declared for the 2025 NFL draft, but they both decided to stay put for another season.

Beck would earn a significant amount in Name, Image and Likeness money if he returns to Georgia.

Gunner Stockton’s situation is similar to Jake Fromm’s first start

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck’s injury creates a similar situation to Jake Fromm’s first career start against Notre Dame

With Georgia football quarterback Carson Beck’s injury, it looks like Gunner Stockton will be the Bulldogs’ starter

Georgia’s current quarterback situation reminds everyone of the quarterback situation in 2017 when starter Jacob Eason went down with a knee sprain. Freshman quarterback Jake Fromm stepped into the starter role for the first time in his career in a huge road game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Entering this game, Fromm had any minimal meaningful playing time in the college football. Fromm helped the Bulldogs seal the 20-19 win over the Fighting Irish going 16 of 29 for 141 yards and one touchdown to win his starting debut. That win helped ignite a season of destiny and UGA went all the way up to the national championship game in Fromm’s freshman campaign.

Stockton and Fromm are in similar situations where they both never had starting experience and facing a tough opponent in Notre Dame.

Fortunately, Stockton has been apart the program for three years, so he is not going into the game with trying to learn the playbook. Instead, he is going to have a few new wrinkles into the offense, but nothing that will be out of the ordinary for the redshirt sophomore outside of the fact that it is his first career start.

Carson Beck injury status update ahead of Sugar Bowl

Georgia QB Carson Beck injury status update ahead of College Football Playoff quarterfinal

Carson Beck will miss Georgia’s Sugar Bowl matchup in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. On3’s Pete Nakos first reported via social media that Beck’s ulnar collateral ligament (elbow) injury will sideline him for the Sugar Bowl against either Notre Dame or Indiana.

Beck sustained the injury on the final play of the first half during the SEC championship game. The Jacksonville native, who considered entering the NFL draft last year but chose to return for one more season, completed 64.7% of his passes in 2025, throwing for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also added a rushing touchdown.

The injury occurred as Beck attempted a Hail Mary with Georgia trailing 6-3 in the SEC championship. While trying to bye time, he was hit by a Texas pass rusher as he threw, causing his arm to twist awkwardly. Beck stayed on the ground for a couple of minutes before walking off the field under his own power, his right arm hanging at his side. He returned to the sideline in the second half with ice on his elbow and shoulder.

In overtime, Texas scored a field goal on its opening possession. On Georgia’s turn, an eight-yard Gunner Stockton run set the Bulldogs up at the Texas four-yard line, but Stockton had to come out after losing his helmet on the play. Beck returned for a single snap to hand the ball off to Trevor Etienne, who scored the game-winning touchdown. That final handoff may have marked the last play of Beck’s 2024 season and secured the SEC championship for Georgia.

After the SEC championship, Beck and UGA have been searching for second opinions on his injury. During the time away, Gunner Stockton has been taking the first team reps. In the six drives, Stockton was the quarterback he helped lead the Bulldogs on four scoring drives.

Carson Beck’s elbow injury will reportedly sideline him for Georgia’s College Football Playoff run

Georgia is reportedly preparing to be without Carson Beck for the College Football Playoff.

Georgia has a first-round bye in this year’s College Football Playoff, but the team is reportedly preparing to be without its starting quarterback.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Chris Low and Mark Schlabach reported on Thursday evening that Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck is exploring surgery options to repair an elbow injury on his throwing arm sustained during the SEC title game.

Beck having surgery would undoubtedly knock him out of playing in the postseason and most likely end his career at Georgia.

With the 2025 NFL Draft just around the corner, Beck will most likely declare as a potential first-round option.

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton should take over for Beck for the College Football Playoff, where he will be tasked in leading the Bulldogs to a national title. No pressure, right?

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David Pollack shares message to Georgia fans about Gunner Stockton

Former ESPN analyst David Pollack gives his take on how Georgia will perform differently with Gunner Stockton at QB.

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck was injured in the first half of the SEC championship game, giving Gunner Stockton the keys to the Georgia offense. Stockton performed admirably, reawakening the UGA offense and leading the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win.

Given Beck’s injury severity, Stockton could start a playoff game or multiple games. Former ESPN analyst David Pollack believes that might be beneficial for Georgia due to the energy Stockton brought to Georgia.

“I am not saying Carson Beck is not good … but Carson Beck is absolutely a flatliner,” Pollack said in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He is not emotional. … When my quarterback gets juiced up, I love it. I rally behind it. When Gunner runs to the right on his first drive and runs a guy over instead of running out of bounds and the sideline is jumping up and down like crazy, it infuses your team.”

Beck is never the kind of person who emotionally fluctuates, unlike Kirby Smart, but Stockton was immediately fired up when he entered the game against Texas. That kind of energy can be infectious to the team and the fans.

Beck has done admirable work to lead the Bulldogs to the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff and an 11-2 record, but it cannot be denied the effect Stockton’s animated demeanor had on this game.

The first-round bye gives Beck more time to heal, but if Beck is not healthy enough for the Sugar Bowl, Pollack suggests Georgia will be just fine with Stockton under center.

 

What will the Georgia offense look like under Gunner Stockton

How will the Georgia Bulldogs’ offense perform, prepare with quarterback Gunner Stockton

Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback Carson Beck status remains uncertain for the Sugar Bowl. As a result, Georgia is preparing to start Gunner Stockton until further notice.

We saw a glimpse of what the Georgia offense is capable of with Stockton at quarterback in the SEC championship. The redshirt sophomore, who guided Georgia on its first touchdown drive of the game, and finished 12-for-16 for 71 yards and one interception.  On Stockton’s first drive he provided a spark to the running game as running back Trevor Etienne scored UGA’s first touchdown of the game.

Georgia’s second half play calling had more designed runs and play action rollout passes for Stockton opposed to Beck. Georgia’s offense may look more like the one Stetson Bennett led in 2021, when the Bulldogs won the national championship. UGA will use Stockton’s mobility as much as it can.

Two more similar offenses that UGA can take things away from are Clemson with Cade Klubnik and Georgia Tech with Haynes King. The success that both offenses have could be added into Georgia’s offense now. What makes the offense so effective that they are balanced and use a capable runner at quarterback.

Georgia has extended time to prepare for the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.  UGA will play the winner of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus Indiana Hoosiers game. This break will be time for the offense to prepare Gunner Stockton to start.

“You know, we commit 75, 80% to ourselves and growth and development and trying to get our team ready and backups ready,” said head coach Kirby Smart on what Georgia will be doing until the Sugar Bowl.

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The Georgia offense will be creating new wrinkles and everyone involved will work to mold a more confident version of Gunner Stockton. Georgia is focusing on being the best possible version it can be.

Four quarterbacks Georgia could target in transfer portal

Why Georgia could be looking for a transfer quarterback and the top four players they could target

After Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck’s injury in the SEC championship game, Georgia fans experienced a Georgia offense without Beck. Gunner Stockton performed admirably in his absence.

The Bulldogs also have Ryan Puglisi and Jaden Rashada waiting in the wings, but Georgia recruited a number of quarterbacks in the 2025 class indicating UGA may want to upgrade its quarterback room.

The Bulldogs could be looking for a quarterback addition via the transfer portal. Gunner Stockton will have a chance to audition for UGA’s starting role in the College Football Playoff, but he has zero career starts. We would not be surprised if Georgia looks for a more experienced option for the 2025 season.

Also, it should be noted that Carson Beck could return for the 2025 season. Before his injury, he was widely projected to enter the 2025 NFL draft.

Here are five quarterbacks Georgia could target:

Jackson Arnold

Nov. 30, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) passes over the LSU Tigers line during the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Arnold entered the transfer portal after a rough passing season at Oklahoma. On3 predicted him to land with the Mississippi State Bulldogs, but the recruiting site also mentioned Georgia and Alabama as probable destinations. Arnold would be behind one of the best offensive lines in the country, unlike in Oklahoma, where the offensive line was porous as the result of injuries.

The former five-star threw for 1,289 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions, but he was sacked 34 times and had a QBR of just 48.0.

Conner Weigman

Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Georgia could target another SEC quarterback this year. Conner Weigman had a great deal of hype at Texas A&M coming into the year, but he was underwhelming with the Aggies, finishing with just 819 yards, three touchdowns, five interceptions and a 52.1 QBR.

The former five-star is a sophomore, so if Weigman goes to the Bulldogs, he could be a developmental project for Kirby Smart and Mike Bobo.

Kaidon Salter

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Salter has the best stats of any of the top quarterbacks in the transfer portal, but he doesn’t have much experience against Power Four opponents. In Liberty’s 2023 bowl matchup against Oregon, he threw for 126 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 24 attempts.

Still, Salter has had a spectacular statistical career with Liberty, with 5,887 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions in his four years with Liberty. He also has dual threat ability, with 2,013 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground.

Salter originally signed on with Tennessee in 2021, but Tennessee dismissed him from the program.

Miller Moss

Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Moss could be Georgia’s most surefire choice out of the transfer quarterbacks. Unlike Arnold and Weigman, who have struggled, Moss played decently with USC.

In 2024, he threw for 2,555 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in his first year as a starter. He was benched in November for Jayden Maiava, but it’s more likely that it was due to Lincoln Riley trying to light a spark than Moss’s actual play.

There are a number of teams chasing Moss, including Michigan and Auburn, but Moss would fit well in Georgia’s system.

Kirby Smart provides injury update on Brett Thorson

Injury update on Georgia football punter Brett Thorson, who has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck wasn’t the only key Georgia starter to suffer an injury in the SEC championship. Punter Brett Thorson, while defending a punt return, suffered a knee injury to his non-kicking leg. The injury may have contributed to Georgia calling a fake punt later in the game against Texas.

Unfortunately, his injury will take him out for the rest of the 2024 season. He will have knee surgery on his non-kicking leg.

“Punter Brett Thorson sustained a knee injury to his non-kicking leg in Saturday’s contest and will require season-ending surgery,” said Georgia in a statement.

“Carson and Brett are both fierce competitors and extremely hard workers,” coach Kirby Smart said. “I’m confident they will attack their rehab with the same determination they exhibit in their daily habits. We will be here to support them every step of the way.”

Thorson is one of the best punters in the nation. He was one of the three finalists for the Ray Guy Award for the nation’s top punter. He averages 47.6 yards per punt, with a long of 60 yards. He’s punted the ball inside the 20 yardline 22 times.

Drew Miller, who was the nation’s No. 1 punter recruit in the class of 2024, will make his debut in the Sugar Bowl.

Highest, lowest PFF grades from UGA’s SEC championship win

Georgia football’s best and worst PFF grades from the Bulldogs’ SEC championship overtime win over Texas

In Georgia’s thrilling overtime SEC championship win over the Texas Longhorns, the Bulldogs relied on several standout players.

After Carson Beck left the game due to injury, Gunner Stockton played the game of his life. Trevor Etienne made an emphatic return from a rib injury. The offensive line’s run-blocking was amazing, especially Tate Ratledge, who was a member of Pro Football Focus’s all-national team for conference championship week.

The Georgia pass rush wreaked havoc on quarterback Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense, causing Ewers to throw two picks to Daylon Everette, who, according to PFF, was the best defender of the week.

Unfortunately, there were some underperformers. Monroe Freeling had his worst day as a blindside blocker. He allowed the pressure that caused Carson Beck’s injury. Dillon Bell and Dominic Lovett were underwhelming again, and Dan Jackson missed three tackles.

HIGHEST AND LOWEST PFF GRADES FROM THE GEORGIA OFFENSE AND DEFENSE VS. TEXAS

Offense

Best Grades

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Running Back Trevor Etienne: 80.6 overall grade, 78.6 receiving grade, 50.4 pass-blocking, 78.5 running grade, 59.2 run-blocking grade

Guard Tate Ratledge: 74.6 overall grade, 75.5 pass-blocking grade, 75.1 run-blocking grade

Running Back Nate Frazier: 73.1 overall grade, 60.9 receiving grade, 74.4 pass-blocking, 73.6 running grade, 59.5 run-blocking grade

Worst Grades

Joshua l. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Quarterback Carson Beck: 34.3 overall grade, 33.4 passing grade, 59.9 running grade

Tight End Benjamin Yurosek: 46.8 overall grade, 64.6 receiving grade, 72.3 pass-blocking grade, 35.4 run-blocking grade

Left Tackle Monroe Freeling: 47.7 overall grade, 69.0 pass-blocking grade, 40.9 run-blocking grade

Defense

Best Grades

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

Cornerback Daylen Everette: 85.8 overall grade, 68.8 run defense grade, 47.3 tackling grade, 65.6  pass-rushing grade, 85.2 coverage grade

Linebacker Chaz Chambliss: 77.1 overall grade, 78.3 run-defense grade, 76 tackling grade, 66.0 pass-rushing grade, 60.5 coverage grade

Safety KJ Bolden: 74.6 overall grade, 66.7 run defense grade, 83.5 tackling grade, 74.3 coverage grade

Worst Grades

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Linebacker Damon Wilson Jr.: 49.7 overall grade, 41.9 run-defense grade, 72.2 tackling grade, 57.8 pass-rushing grade, 60.4 coverage grade

Defensive Tackle Jordan Hall: 51.4 overall grade, 53.3 run-defense grade, 55.0 pass-rushing grade

Safety Dan Jackson: 53.8 overall grade, 65.9 run defense grade, 28.6 tackling grade, 50.9 coverage grade

Georgia QB Carson Beck ‘exploring treatment options’ on injury

Update on Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who has an elbow injury and is without a timetable for return

Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck is without a timetable for his return after leaving the 2024 SEC championship game with an elbow injury.

“He (Carson Beck) and his family are exploring treatment options and there is no current timetable for his return,” Georgia released in a statement on Monday afternoon.

“Carson and Brett (Thorson) are both fierce competitors and extremely hard workers,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.

Georgia punter Brett Thorson has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury that requires surgery.

“I am confident they will attack their rehab with the same determination they exhibit in their daily habits. We will support them every step of the way,” continued Smart.

Beck suffered the elbow injury as he was buying time to attempt a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the first half. He was sacked and fumbled the ball. Texas defensive end Trey Moore sacked Beck and grabbed Beck’s throwing arm.

Beck stayed on the ground for an extended period of time following the injury and missed the second half. Beck made a heroic return on the final play of the game after backup quarterback Gunner Stockton took a shot to the head. Beck handed the ball to running back Trevor Etienne, who scored a game-winning touchdown.

Georgia’s next game is in the Sugar Bowl in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Jan. 1, so Georgia will have time to prepare for life without Beck.