There may be no better case study for the current era of college football than the fluctuations in quarterback Carson Beck’s stock. Other passers have used the portal to slingshot themselves into the first round of the NFL Draft. Likewise, NIL has incentivized prospects to stay in school rather than jump to the league too early. Still, it’s a gamble, and some are bound to come out on the wrong side of it.
Beck’s stock had never been higher than after his SEC-drubbing 2023 campaign. However, a loaded 2024 crop of passers kept him in Athens, focused on a championship. He entered the 2025 NFL Draft cycle as its preseason QB1, a potential top pick with plenty of talent to amplify his skill set.
Just about everything went wrong last season, pushing Beck’s NFL ETA back a season and thrusting him into the transfer portal. With the Miami Hurricanes, Beck is being paid handsomely to boost his stock and deliver a championship to the U.
Beck’s strengths are worthy of NFL playing time
Beck earned first-round hype ahead of the 2024 season, and while it has dampened in the months since, he’s sure to have his share of believers around the sport. The case for him is simple. He operates well within structure, playing point guard and managing the game. His ceiling isn’t phenomenal, but armed with a quality roster, Beck isn’t supposed to sink the ship.
The 6’4″, 218-pound passer has adequate arm strength and athleticism, even if neither tool transcends the league average. He avoids turnovers and sacks to keep his offense ahead of the chains. Beck is capable of flashing the occasional challenging throw over the middle, but it’s his grasp of timing that should stand out to NFL decision makers. He syncs his mechanics with the timing of routes well, is comfortable with post-snap RPO reads, and trusts receivers downfield when necessary.
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Teams interested in Beck are banking on his experience and ability to run a pro-style offense from Week 1. With his best work coming within structure, it’s his consistency that makes him a viable NFL prospect.
Beck’s stock tumbled for a reason
One can argue that Beck is one of the most pro-ready passers in the class. They’d probably be right. But Beck’s profile isn’t built to overcome adversity, and it’s hard to envision him taking a team to the top.
The lack of high-end traits is a glaring flaw, even if it’s not a pressing liability. He’s not creating explosives on the ground or out of structure. He can hit deep passes within structure, although his effectiveness under pressure limits some of those windows.
Beck isn’t quite as precise as one would expect given his archetype. He isn’t solving problems out of structure, and while he does a good job of avoiding sacks — at times with nuanced pocket navigation — Beck isn’t overly effective after escaping the pocket.
After the departure of tight end phenom Brock Bowers, Beck had to find answers downfield. He struggled with that development, and behind the eight ball, he committed more turnovers.
Beck’s NFL Draft projection
In Miami, Beck offers the Hurricanes instant credibility under center. There are few, if any, doubts about his ability to be a high-level collegiate passer. A date with the College Football Playoff is possible, and rising to the occasion could sway teams that find themselves on the fence.
He’ll get the chance to start his final season off right against an elite Notre Dame squad in Week 1.
Beck must change the narrative with the Hurricanes. Whether it’s becoming more consistent and battling Garrett Nussmeier for the season’s steadiest passer or emerging as a more daring passer downfield and out of structure, there is work to be done. Miami is talented, and with an ACC schedule, the stage is set for said development.
As things stand, Beck’s mediocre tools and big-game inconsistencies render him an early Day 3 pick. Landing in Day 2 remains possible with a strong season. Still, growth is necessary if Beck is going to project as a league-average starter, rather than a prototypical backup who can keep the train on the tracks.
Timing has not been kind to Beck on his journey to the NFL. A year after Miami played host to Cam Ward’s emergence, he’ll hope his last hand is his best one yet.
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