Carson Beck changed his mind almost as quickly as his Lamborghini can go 0-60. After initially declaring for the NFL draft, he has pulled a stunning u-turn. Beck is now headed to southern Florida to play out his final year of collegiate eligibility with the Miami Hurricanes. He leaves behind more than just his teammates and coaches out in Athens.

It’s safe to say Carson Beck’s stint with the Georgia Bulldogs included moments of greatness and moments of growth alike. Mixed or even negative sentiments towards his time among the Georgia Bulldogs’ faithful is fathomable. Yes he’s a National champion, but wasn’t a contributor to those teams. The two seasons he was atop the QB depth chart coincided with 2 of Georgia’s worst seasons in the Kirby Smart era. Albeit this wasn’t necessarily down to him. Owing to a lackluster 2024 season, Carson saw his NFL stock plummet. He went from a first-round grade to a scenario where it was best for him to return to college and build his rep back up. He’s chosen to do so with Miami.

Not too coincidentally, it’s where his girlfriend Hanna Cavinder plays college hoops. Sounds like a no-brainer? Not quite. Carson Beck’s bidding adieu to family. Not family in a sentimental, Bulldogs’ Nation way either. His actual one.

Sports fandom is sacrilege. Once you don the colors of a team, you’re intrinsically bonded in perpetuity. That’s the case with Tracy Beck. Her son Carson played football for Georgia, and she cheered him on. Her daughter, Kylie Beck, also cheered him on but in a more outward capacity. See, Kylie was and still is a cheerleader for the Bulldogs. She’s also a student at UGA. Now that her children are diverging, Tracy Beck was bound to be left a little sour. She’s staring at dividing both time and attention, with the two now in different states altogether. At least she’ll take some solace in knowing Hanna is out there for Carson. Adorably, she’s also looking out for Tracy.

On account of Tracy Beck’s birthday, Hanna Cavinder took to IG to wish her. She posted a picture of the two from what seems like before a Georgia game, with Hanna clad in red and Tracy repping her son with a #15 jersey. “happy birthday mama beck! ❤️” wrote Hanna Cavinder. Behind every successful man is a woman, they say. Carson Beck will hope this inadvertent change in the most involved woman of his life and career, going from Tracy to Hanna, will spark an upturn. A lot is about to change in his life, which is ironic because you’d have discerned the same if he went to the NFL.                                    

It’s natural for a mother to have separation pains when this juncture eventually arrives. Tracy Beck would’ve been preparing for Carson to go pro anyway, but that’s not how the cards have fallen. There’s some respite in knowing Hanna Cavinder is out there to give him support. At the end of the day, Tracy will hope the decision Carson Beck has made is the correct one. If his reported and much-maligned NIL figures are to be believed, it does appear to be the correct decision indeed.

Carson Beck’s decision to join Miami made easy by more than just Hanna Cavinder

Whatever your opinion of Carson Beck, he’s perceived better than 90% of QBs at the college level. This is evidenced by the NIL money he’s commanding. Depending on where you look, you’ll see different figures floated for what Miami has offered Carson Beck in NIL money. Most of these figures are fallacious, but at least you get into the right ballpark. The strange yet true bit is that Carson will make more money in College Football next season than some first-round draft picks will make in the NFL. He’s due to make north of $3 million, very conservatively.

Not only does Carson get sufficient pay, he can play in a system that saw Cam Ward thrive in last season. Hurricanes HC Mario Cristobal will look to complement his lopsided team with a bit more defense, and his new DC hire is a proponent of this. As a result, Carson can plug into what should be a playoff contender and, at least in theory, shouldn’t need too much of a bedding in period. His style and arm is suited to the Canes offense.

Cam Ward leaving could’ve potentially put the whole program in disarray. However, Mario Cristobal will be pleased to have another quality veteran QB to work with. Conversely, Carson Beck will be closer to his girlfriend and, well, be in Miami Florida over Athens. With all due respect, that’s an upgrade. As for Tracy Beck, she’ll be fine as long as her son is succeeding. That’s requisite. This season is sink or swim for his career.