Carson Beck to transfer – What we know about Georgia QB’s move

On By Littum

Quarterback Carson Beck’s college career may not be over yet.

The Georgia starter entered this past season as one of the top-rated passers available for the 2025 NFL draft, and an early favorite to go No. 1 overall. But after a season in which he threw nine interceptions over a four-game stretch (and three more in a 41-34 loss at Alabama) and struggled mightily in other games, his draft stock plummeted.

To make matters worse, Beck was injured on the final play of the first half in Georgia’s 22-19 overtime win against Texas in the SEC Championship on Dec. 7. Beck had season-ending surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right side and throwing elbow on December 23. Five days later, he announced he was entering the NFL draft.

On Thursday, sources stated that Beck plans to enter the transfer portal instead. Immediately, he becomes the top quarterback available in the portal, although he is not expected to resume throwing until sometime this spring. — Mark Schlabach

Where could he be going?

There were plenty of rumors linking Beck to Miami back in December, which he put to rest when he declared for the draft, and it’s fair to call the Hurricanes the front-runner at the start of what should be a fast-paced recruitment drive.

Miami coach Mario Cristobal has not brought in a transfer QB this offseason to succeed Cam Ward and would move forward with an unproven young backup in Emory Williams if he doesn’t add one. Ward was worth every penny with the remarkable season he put together in 2024 and the leadership he brought to the program. He seriously boosted his NFL draft stock as a result of his 2024 season and could end up going No. 1 overall.

If you’re Beck, coming back for an extra season is the goal. Miami won’t have the same supporting cast of playmakers back in 2025, but they have a lot to sell as Beck’s ideal destination and will undoubtedly make him a serious priority now that he hits the market. — Max Olson

What’s next for Georgia?

Beck’s replacement, sophomore Gunner Stockton, played well enough in the second half of the SEC championship game and in a 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl that he will likely enter spring practice as favorite to replace Beck.

Stockton, one of the most prolific quarterbacks in Georgia high school history, led the Bulldogs back from a 6-3 deficit in the second half to defeat Texas in Atlanta. In his first college start, he completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions against a very good Notre Dame defense.

Stockton should improve with a full offseason to prepare as a starter. He will have to hold off freshman Ryan Puglisi, the No. 9 pocket passer in the class of 2024, according to ESPN. The Bulldogs signed two quarterbacks in their most recent recruiting class: Ryan Montgomery from Findlay, Ohio, and Hezekiah Millender from Athens, Georgia.

The Bulldogs can still bring in another experienced quarterback from the portal. They were linked to former Alabama backup Dylan Lonergan and Cal starter Fernando Mendoza before signing with Boston College and Indiana, respectively. — Schlabach

Did Beck fall out of favor with NFL scouts?

After entering the season as a candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, Beck fell short of expectations, finishing with solid stats — 28 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and 3,485 yards — but up-and-down performances. He had three midseason games in which he threw a combined eight picks, raising eyebrows among NFL scouts. I dropped him in my rankings to no. 5 quarterback in the 2025 class.

When we spoke to evaluators around the league, Beck’s draft grades were all over the place, with some thinking he would go in Round 2, while others thought he could go as low as Round 5. Following his announcement that he was draft, the scout said, “I was surprised.”

In the right situation next season, Beck should have an opportunity to recapture his 2023 form, as he threw just six interceptions. Drew Allar (Penn State) is the early headliner in the 2026 class, and Beck needs a big season to get back into the Round 1 discussion. — Jordan Reid

What’s the latest on Beck’s injury?

On the day of Beck’s surgery, a Georgia statement indicated the procedure was successful and he was expected to start throwing again in the spring. Not much else — about the severity of the injury or his recovery time — is publicly known.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, UCL injuries are common among gymnasts, wrestlers, football players and baseball pitchers. The length of Beck’s recovery will depend on whether he fully or partially tore the ligament and where it was torn (proximal, distal or mid-substance).

“For patients who have full-thickness tears and need to return to high-demand throwing activities, surgery may be considered,” the Mayo Clinic website says. “Surgery typically involves either a repair (fixing your current ligament by suturing and anchoring it back to the bone) or reconstruction (replacing your damaged ligament) of the UCL.”

Beck wouldn’t be the first quarterback to come back from UCL surgery. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy injured his right UCL throwing elbow against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship game on January 29, 2023. He had surgery to repair his UCL on March 10, 2023 and returned to throwing less than three months later later. He started the 49ers opener on September 10, 2023.

The Mayo Clinic website said that athletes who experience UCL injuries have a 95%-100% return to athletics for non-throwers and 85%-95% for throwers. — Schlabach

What are the rules for entering the portal after declaring for the draft?

Beck announced his intentions to enter the NFL draft, but he has until Feb. 7 to remove his name from the draft by sending an opt-out letter to the league office.

College football players whose teams’ seasons had already ended had until Jan. 6 to declare for the draft. Players on teams still competing in the CFP (Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Texas) have until Jan. 27 to decide whether to enter their names in the draft. — Schlabach