Carson Beck’s journey from Georgia’s starting quarterback to Miami’s playoff leader has been nothing short of a whirlwind — and the story’s still unfolding as the College Football Playoff semifinals approach. Once pegged as a likely No. 1 pick for the 2025 NFL draft, Beck’s path took a sudden detour, shaped by injuries, fierce competition, and the new realities of college football’s transfer and NIL landscape. Now, as the Miami Hurricanes prepare for their shot at a national championship, all eyes are back on Beck, whose NFL draft stock is once again a hot topic among scouts and fans alike.
Heading into the 2024 college football season, Carson Beck was riding high. The Georgia quarterback had built a reputation as a poised passer with a sharp football mind, and many draft analysts saw him as a top candidate to go first overall in the 2025 NFL draft. But football, as ever, had other plans. Beck’s final season in Athens was marred by a series of setbacks — most notably, a string of 12 interceptions and a season-ending shoulder injury that left his draft stock in question. To make matters more complicated, Beck lost his starting job to Gunner Stockton, who seized the opportunity and led the Bulldogs to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, "Beck was viewed as a potential first-round pick entering his senior season and will now look to boost his draft stock just as (Cam) Ward did with a big season in Coral Gables."
Faced with uncertainty and a changing college football landscape, Beck made a decision that few could have predicted. In late December 2024, he declared for the NFL draft, seemingly ready to leave the college game behind. But within just two weeks, Beck had a change of heart. On January 9, 2025, he entered the NCAA transfer portal, and by the very next day, he’d committed to play his final season of college football for the Miami Hurricanes. The move, as Thamel noted, "came within 24 hours of his surprise decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal Thursday. After declaring for the 2025 NFL draft on Dec. 28, Beck will instead join Miami for his final season of eligibility."
So why the sudden shift? NIL — Name, Image, and Likeness — played a major role. Unlike in previous eras, Beck now had the chance to secure a significant financial incentive by staying in school. The opportunity to play in a new system, raise his profile, and boost his draft stock proved too good to pass up. And it’s hard to argue with the results. In his single season at Miami, Beck threw for 3,072 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, guiding the Hurricanes to the College Football Playoff semifinals. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Beck as the No. 5 quarterback in his draft rankings at the time of the transfer, and his performance in Coral Gables has only added fuel to the fire.
"Miami convinced Beck to withdraw from the 2025 draft and transfer from Georgia, and he threw for 3,072 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions," wrote ESPN’s Matt Miller in a December 17, 2025 story. Miller continued, "Beck is at his best when he’s in a clean pocket where he can pick apart defenses, but he struggles when things get muddy. Teams with a strong play-action attack and good run game could like him on Day 2." That’s a crucial insight for NFL scouts, especially as Beck’s name surfaces in connection with several quarterback-needy franchises.
Among those franchises? The Cleveland Browns. Despite having a crowded quarterback room — including recent draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders — the Browns have yet to find a permanent successor to Deshaun Watson. Watson, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Texans and signed to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract through 2026, has not lived up to expectations. According to Pro Football Sports Network’s Trevor Ritchie, "The Browns continue looking to solidify a long-term building block at quarterback, even after drafting both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in 2025." Ritchie went on to highlight that with five picks in the third through fifth rounds of the 2026 NFL draft, Cleveland could be in prime position to take another swing at a quarterback like Beck.
But Cleveland isn’t the only potential landing spot. Ritchie also listed the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Los Angeles Rams as teams that could be eyeing Beck come draft day. It’s a testament to the shifting quarterback market and the way Beck’s unique journey has kept him in the spotlight. As Ritchie put it, "The Browns’ No. 28 and No. 39 picks could also be too late for QB3, but a major reach for QB4 at the same time. If they take another swing at a signal-caller in the 2026 draft, rounds three through five might once again be the value sweet spot with one of their 10 total picks."
Of course, Beck’s story is about more than just numbers and draft projections. His transfer to Miami was a shock to many, not least because it bucked the traditional trajectory of college quarterbacks. In the past, declaring for the draft was a point of no return. But with NIL deals now offering real financial security, top players like Beck have new reasons to stay in school, hone their skills, and bet on themselves for one more year. It’s a new era, and Beck is right in the thick of it.
His path also mirrors that of Cam Ward, another quarterback who transferred to Miami and used the opportunity to skyrocket his draft stock. Ward, a former Washington State transfer, "declared for the 2024 NFL draft last January but changed his mind upon learning he'd be at best a second- or third-round draft pick, opting to join Miami. After producing 4,313 passing yards and 43 total touchdowns with the Hurricanes and finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, Ward is now a projected top-10 pick," as detailed by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Beck, who watched Ward’s meteoric rise, clearly saw the potential for a similar leap.
As of January 8, 2026, Beck and the Hurricanes are one win away from the national championship game. Georgia, meanwhile, has been eliminated from the playoff bracket. The contrast is striking — and it’s a reminder that college football’s new era is full of twists, turns, and second chances. Beck’s decision to transfer, powered by NIL and a desire to prove himself, has paid off handsomely so far. And with the NFL draft looming, his next chapter is just around the corner.
For now, Miami fans are savoring the ride, and NFL scouts are watching closely. Will Beck’s bold moves and bounce-back season be enough to vault him into the early rounds of the 2026 draft? The answer may depend on what happens next in the playoffs — and how teams weigh his resilience, production, and potential fit in their systems. One thing’s for sure: Carson Beck’s football story is far from over, and the next act promises plenty of drama.