In an absolute bombshell, Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck is entering the transfer portal. By doing so, Beck is foregoing an opportunity to enter the 2025 NFL Draft. He plans to take this next season to improve his pre-draft stock before jumping to the NFL.
An injury prevented Beck from participating in the College Football Playoff, and Notre Dame eliminated the program in the Sugar Bowl. Beck's final appearance for Georgia was an overtime victory over Texas in the SEC Championship Game, in which he completed just seven-of-13 passing attempts for 56 yards. In total, he threw for 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024.
Beck did not meet expectations this year as a potential first-round pick. He'll take this next season to refine his skill set and reconsider entering the NFL. We've identified three potential landing spots for Beck via the portal.
Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are immediately considered front-runners to lure Beck, according to multiple reports. It's easy to understand why. The program is in the market for a new starting quarterback with Cam Ward potentially being the No. 1 overall selection in this year's draft.
Beck is essentially attempting to follow Ward’s career path. Ward was considered a mid-round pick before transferring to Miami, where he established himself as the best quarterback in the draft class.
If Beck chooses Miami, he'll be developed by a terrific coaching staff consisting of head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. Ward and the Hurricanes won 10 games this season for the first time since 2017. The ascending program would be a perfect landing spot to help foster Beck's ongoing development.
Ohio State
Ohio State is another program to monitor in the Beck sweepstakes, according to reporter Pete Nakos. The Buckeyes could undoubtedly make a tempting offer to Beck, both from an NIL perspective and a competitive aspect. The program is one victory over Texas away from meeting Notre Dame in the national championship game.
Ryan Day entered the portal market for a starting quarterback last offseason and came away with Will Howard from Kansas State. Unsurprisingly, Howard has enjoyed a career-best season this year, throwing for 32 touchdowns and 3,490 yards. Something similar could happen to Beck if he chooses Ohio State. Inheriting a generational talent at wide receiver like Jeremiah Smith would be quite the sweetener.
Texas Tech
Texas Tech is the other program mentioned by Nakos in his report. The Red Raiders will be considered big-time underdogs. They simply can't compete with Miami or Ohio State from an NIL or competitive aspect. They'll have to get creative with their pitch to bring Beck to Lubbock once they receive their opportunity to recruit him.
There are advantages to playing at Texas Tech. Competing in the Big 12, compared to the SEC or Big Ten, would allow Beck to pad his stats while also creating a more straightforward path to the College Football Playoff. The Red Raiders were respectable throughout 2024, winning eight contests under third-year head coach Joey McGuire.
