Look how the tables turned! The former Georgia Bulldogs QB Carson Beck was all set to spread his wings and fly high in the NFL. But the athlete chose to make a U-turn even after declaring for the draft. So, obviously, college football fans are inquisitive to get a glimpse of what this new chapter in the old cover has in store for Beck. That’s when the light falls on Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes. 

After all, we know how the Georgia chapter tumbled down for Beck. While things are believed to change for the better for Beck, will the $4 million QB be the game-changer in Cristobal’s squad? Well, the clouds of uncertainty shroud the chance. 

How will Carson Beck’s Miami chapter unfold?

Before the 2024 season started, things looked too good for Beck. He enjoyed a good portion of this offseason at the center of attention. Moving into the 2024 season, the Georgia QB came off as a hot favorite when it came to the Heisman race. Sadly, he failed to leave his mark. Beck has been the subject at fault. His biggest weakness being interceptions. In a row of three games, the Bulldogs QB had thrown eight interceptions. History says that while Beck was halfway through the season, he has thrown six more interceptions than he threw during the entirety of the 2023 season. Now that’s sad. But it looks like the issue was more with the Bulldogs than the QB.

On the On3 podcast, host and national analyst J.D. PicKell pointed out the vital question surrounding Beck’s scrutiny. He noted, “When you look at Carson Beck, what’s more likely that he just forgot how to play quarterback from 2023 to 2024? Or maybe Brock Bowers and Lad McConkey two NFL weapons both weren’t on his roster anymore?” Both Brock Bowers and Lad McConkey parted ways with the Bulldogs and went to the NFL in 2024, leaving Beck on the sinking Georgia ship.  

PicKell added, “His team that couldn’t really effectively run the football. 102nd in America and rush yards per game made it a little bit more of a difficult task for him to repeat the kind of year he had in 2023.” After all, Beck had set a high ceiling for himself in 2023. He started in all 14 games for Georgia. Ranked third nationally and first in the SEC in passing yards (3,941), as well as fourth in the nation in completion percentage (.724). 

Beck is equipped to push the pigskin downfield. Sadly, Georgia lacked the scheme and the personnel to unleash his best potential. Does the QB have to worry about his next stop? Absolutely not! PicKell stated, “So now you go to a place in Miami under Shannon Dawson where that offense they were top five in America last year when it came to yards per attempt.” Does that mean Cristobal’s army is all perfect? Sadly, that’s not the case.

Things Mario Cristobal needs to work on

Miami’s downfall was its defense. Cristobal was all confident when it came to bolstering his roster. He thought that he had acquired enough to complement his QB, Cam Ward, with an elite offense. Sadly, it did not take him long to realize his mistakes. Even with a front seven packed with NFL-level talent, cracks started showing in his defense, especially in the secondary. Still, Ward somehow led his team to a 10-3 season. And if Beck thinks he can just pick up where he left off at Georgia, he’s got a reality check coming. As analyst Spencer McLaughlin pointed out, “Cam Ward is a lot to replace.”

After all, the standard is too high for Beck. Thanks to his predecessor. Ward threw for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns. Now let’s come to the quintessential Cam Ward vs. Carson Beck discussion.

The former Canes QB eclipsed 300 yards in nearly every game of his Miami career. On the flip side, Carson Beck had four such games this season. So, if Mario Cristobal wants to count on Beck to win games consistently as a passer, he is not the one. Plus, when it comes to interceptions, Ward had one game with multiple interceptions while Beck had four such games. So, the assignment for Miami right now is to improve their QB’s control of the offense and decision-making.

Cristobal’s also been busy with roster construction. Edge rushers Hayden Lowe, Mykah Newton, and Herbert Scroggins, along with defensive lineman Donte Simpson, are Miami’s only 2025 front-four signees. With some D-line losses after this season, expect Miami to hit the transfer portal hard for more depth. Here’s hoping Beck finds his groove again under Cristobal in his new squad.