Time for some big drama, folks! Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes had been under enough mental toil. Courtesy? The Georgia Bulldogs transfer Carson Beck who had hit a U-turn to return to college football. But instead of heading to Athens, he chose the Hurricanes. However, he had been nursing an injury and missed the spring games. But right now, something exposed that no-nonsense side of Coach Cristobal…

That’s none other than Nico Iamaleava. He and Tennessee are parting ways that spurs a holdout hoopla. Now, in case Beck and Co. plan to follow Iamaleva’s footsteps, they better be aware. Cristobal is not going to tolerate any tricks. The Miami HC made his stance clear in a stern declaration. For anyone getting too ambitious in this NIL era, Cristobal would rather show them the door than give in to their demands.

When Cristobal and Co. lost to Georgia Tech, the HC said their performance was “obviously disappointing.” “We didn’t do a good enough job. We didn’t play well enough.” These were his exact words that reflect his disciplined side in college football. On that note, he could not just stop himself from addressing the Iamaleva trouble. The junior-to-be, fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance, had been asking for more money since the season ended. The 5-star quarterback has been the big $8  million catch for Josh Heupel’s squad. Even in this spring, Iamaleava’s camp approached the Vols for a raise, and that’s when Tennessee pushed back. They have opted to part ways.

Josh Heupel comes off as a cool-minded head coach. Now, if he had to face such a bitter situation, it might come off as an example for other players as well. The young chaps can now go to any extent to squeeze in more fortune from their programs. And in case they have already proved themselves, they already got the green pass. But Cristobal is reinforcing his fortress from now on, sending out a disclaimer in advance.

While Heupel tries to keep a cool head, the Miami HC is not fully taking the same approach. Cristobal is familiar with the idea of players pushing for reupped NIL deals. But the fact that Iamaleava is skipping practice as a holdout is something new inside the sport. It’s not that any of Miami’s players holds that plan, but Cristobal made it clear that any kind of holdout is a BIG NO-NO. “We’re not going to do that at Miami.”   

The quote that followed will be enough for the Canes squad to tread with caution. “And I say that without any hesitation. If anyone is thinking that, they can be the best player in the world. If they wanna play holdout, they might as well play get out. Don’t want to do that, [and I] don’t want Miami to become that. Too many guys have sweat, bled, and have laid on the line on that field to ever become that kind of program.”

Now that Iamaleava takes the path of the NCAA transfer portal, it is not a surprise for Cristobal. However, a school ponying up to the demands of players who are willing to hold out for money is something he would never sign up for. Rather, he would now focus on leveling up his talent now that Beck is deemed as fit.     

Mario Cristobal is all set to write a new Miami story with Carson Beck

When it came to Carson Beck’s talents, Mario Cristobal did not have much of a headache. After all, the quarterback in Georgia had broken back-to-back records. Beck had hit his career high coming up with 459 yards against Mississippi State. But the SEC championship game changed the player’s course in professional life. Beck endured a right elbow injury. It looked so bad that he had to undergo surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). He knew well enough that his draft stocks were going to be affected and swapped to Cristobal’s school for a fresh start.

As he kept on nursing and recovering from the injury, he could not take part in Miami’s spring practice. But April 11 ushered in some good news. National College Football Reporter for CBS Sports, Brandon Marcello, confirmed, “Miami QB Carson Beck will begin throwing footballs Monday, coach Mario Cristobal told @CBSSports/@247Sports. The Georgia transfer underwent elbow surgery in December.” Now, if Cristobal is still in two minds, his coach took his worries away.

The 2025 chapter is yet to pull up the curtains, but the national media’s best quarterbacks rankings are here. Going by On3’s Andy Staples’ list, the analyst handed out a consolation prize to Mario Cristobal’s quarterback. He placed Beck at No.10 on the verge of getting replaced at any moment. But here comes a big praise from Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson…

“[I have learned] a couple of things. His football IQ is really high. He’s played a lot of football, and so when you talk to him about plays or the regurgitation of plays and in the meeting room, you can tell he’s played a lot of football and also that his personality comes out over time,” stated OC Dawson. By demanding full devotion, Miami’s head coach is penning a blueprint for greatness.