“Pressure? It’s just part of the game,” says Carson Beck, Georgia Bulldogs’ quarterback. Beck, despite being projected as the No. 1 QB, remains unfazed by the hype. In today’s world, where social media buzz can easily sidetrack young athletes, Beck has been following quite a different mantra.

The Bulldog’s QB has a little secret up in his pocket; Staying focused on the present and not letting the rankings get to his head. In a June 30th interview, Carson Beck reveals how he manages the mantle of being called one of the best QBs in college football.

Beck’s humble approach

Being a No. 1 has gotta be hard, and somewhat distracting as well, but not for our Bulldogs QB. During an interview with On Texas Football, when asked how he manages to stay humble despite the high rankings, Beck said that it’s all about keeping the focus on the present. “None of it really matters, we still have a whole season to play,” he explained. Beck admitted that it’s sometimes challenging to ignore the hype, acknowledging, “Sometimes it’s hard because sometimes you see it. I’m not going to sit here and lie and say I don’t see all that.” Despite this, he stressed the importance of being present and focusing on the season, saying, “Just work every single day because I do have a season to play. I have however many games to play, so I got to be able to show what I’m capable of and, you know, lead our team and win games.”

Now one might wonder; What makes Carson Beck a potential No. 1 QB and a valid contender for the Heisman Trophy? Well, Beck led the Georgia Bulldogs to an undefeated regular season in 2023, finishing with 3,941 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. His impressive stats and ability to step up in critical moments have solidified his reputation. A veteran SEC defensive coordinator also stated, “I think he’ll be the No. 1 overall pick.“ Further adding to the impact Beck has had on coaches and analysts alike.

Moving on, Beck’s views of being the best might be calm and collected, but on the other end of the pole, we do have the flashy Sanders. Molded by his father’s successful marketing tactics and solid coaching skills, Shedeur Sanders has quite a different approach to handling being the best. Known for his signature “watch flex” celebration, Shedeur has a different way of celebrating being the best, and Joel Klatt also aggress. “Shedeur Sanders becomes the most clutch player in college football. That’s not debatable. That is also a fact, “ Klatt mentioned on his show. Another big contender for the Heisman title, Shedeur, definitely has left a lasting impact as well.

Shedeur showtime and the Carson contrast

Sanders, who transferred to Colorado to play under his father, Deion Sanders, has already made significant waves in college football. Last season, he threw for over 3,200 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only three interceptions, showcasing his talent and precision on the field. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach and other analysts have highlighted his potential to win the prestigious award, noting that his leadership and playmaking abilities are key factors. “Shedeur is a playmaker,” one analyst stated. “His ability to make unbelievable plays under pressure sets him apart from many quarterbacks“. Not to mention, he was the most sacked QB last season, totaling a whopping 52 times.

Deion Sanders, Shedeur’s father, is also quite open about his son’s Heisman potential. “Our quarterback should be mentioned in the Heisman race,” Deion stated. “When you put his numbers up against those guys in the Power 5, he’s doing as much or more than they are doing“. Even though some of Shedeur’s behavior has been questionable, like the watch flex scene, fans still have to admit that he is still one of the best out on the field. Now only time will tell who grabs the Heisman, Beck, Sanders, or maybe the two-way star, Travis Hunter?