Georgia’s SEC Rival Tried to Land Carson Beck Before QB Committed to Miami
The world of college football has been abuzz in recent months with major player movements, and one of the most talked-about stories of the 2025 offseason has been Carson Beck’s transfer from the Georgia Bulldogs to the Miami Hurricanes. Beck, who was once the heir apparent to Georgia’s starting quarterback position after a successful tenure as a backup, made the decision to leave a program with national championship aspirations in favor of a fresh start with Miami.
But what many fans might not know is that before Beck made his commitment to Miami, his decision wasn’t as clear-cut as it appeared. According to reports, an SEC rival had made a strong push to land Beck before he ultimately chose to join the Hurricanes. In this article, we’ll explore the details of Beck’s transfer process, the SEC program that pursued him, and the factors that influenced his decision to play for Miami over staying in the Southeastern Conference.
Carson Beck’s Journey at Georgia: From Backup to Starter?
Carson Beck’s time at Georgia was a blend of high expectations and missed opportunities. A highly-ranked recruit coming out of high school, Beck was touted as the future of Georgia’s offense. However, when Stetson Bennett emerged as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback and led the team to two national championships in 2022 and 2023, Beck found himself relegated to the role of a backup.
Despite not seeing significant playing time as a starter, Beck’s experience at Georgia was invaluable. The Bulldogs’ program, under head coach Kirby Smart, has been a powerhouse in college football, consistently competing for national titles and dominating the SEC. Beck spent several years learning under a coaching staff renowned for its success, honing his skills and preparing for the day when he would finally take the reins of the offense.
During his time as a backup, Beck showed flashes of his potential, including during Georgia’s Peach Bowl victory over Ohio State in 2023, when he stepped in and threw for over 200 yards. However, with Bennett’s eligibility now exhausted and the Bulldogs bringing in more competition at quarterback, Beck faced an uncertain future at Georgia.
Georgia’s quarterback room, which already included high-profile recruits, made Beck’s path to a starting role less clear. As a result, Beck’s decision to enter the transfer portal in 2024 was not a surprising one. With the pressure of competing for a starting job at Georgia, Beck began looking at other schools where he could seize an opportunity to start and make an impact immediately.
The SEC Rivalry: A Familiar Yet Unsettling Option
One of the programs that took a strong interest in Beck’s services was a familiar rival: the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama, led by legendary head coach Nick Saban, has long been a power in the SEC, regularly competing for national championships and developing NFL-caliber talent. With Alabama’s quarterback situation in flux following the departure of their 2024 starter, Beck seemed like an ideal candidate to step into the starting role.
Alabama’s program has traditionally been known for its robust defense and strong running game, but in recent years, the offense has become more dynamic, especially with the play of quarterback Bryce Young, who went on to become a top NFL draft pick. As the Crimson Tide began searching for their next quarterback to lead their high-powered offense, Beck became a top target.
Beck’s familiarity with the SEC, his experience in high-stakes games, and his strong arm made him an attractive option for Alabama’s coaching staff. The Crimson Tide were in need of a leader who could take control of the offense, and Beck seemed to fit the bill. It’s no secret that Alabama has had success in bringing in high-profile transfers, and they viewed Beck as someone who could step into the role and continue the program’s legacy of success.
While the allure of joining Alabama, one of Georgia’s biggest rivals in the SEC, was undeniable, there were several factors that made the Crimson Tide’s pursuit of Beck challenging. First and foremost, Alabama’s quarterback room was already crowded with highly-touted freshman recruits and returning players who were fighting for a starting job. Despite the need for a new signal-caller, the competition in Tuscaloosa was fierce, and Beck would be entering a situation where he would have to battle for the job, much like he would have to do at Georgia.
Furthermore, Beck’s decision to leave Georgia may have been motivated by a desire for a fresh start in a new environment, one where he could control his own destiny. Though the idea of playing for a perennial national championship contender like Alabama was enticing, Beck may have felt that the pressure of playing for another SEC powerhouse wasn’t the right fit for his goals. Ultimately, he chose to look elsewhere for an opportunity to shine, where the competition would be less daunting, and the offense better suited to his strengths.
The Appeal of Miami: A New Beginning
As Alabama pursued Beck, a different, less traditional option began to gain traction: the Miami Hurricanes. Unlike Georgia and Alabama, which have been entrenched in the college football playoff conversation for years, Miami’s program has been in the process of rebuilding under head coach Mario Cristobal. However, Miami’s allure for Beck was undeniable, and ultimately, it was the Hurricanes who secured his commitment.
Miami has a storied football program with a rich history, having won five national championships and produced countless NFL players. Under Cristobal, the program has been steadily improving, and Miami’s offensive system is designed to maximize the abilities of quarterbacks who can make quick decisions and operate efficiently in both the passing and running games. For Beck, this presented the perfect opportunity to step in as the starting quarterback and lead the Hurricanes’ offense toward a new era of success.
One of the biggest draws for Beck was the clear path to the starting role. While Alabama and Georgia had entrenched quarterback rooms, Miami was looking for a leader who could immediately contribute and take the offense to the next level. Beck saw this as an opportunity to play in a system that valued his skill set, while also benefiting from Miami’s strong recruiting efforts and the chance to develop his game under the guidance of Cristobal and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis.
Additionally, Beck’s decision to commit to Miami also had a lot to do with the NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities available to him. Miami has been one of the most aggressive programs in leveraging NIL deals for its players, with its NIL collective offering substantial opportunities for athletes to profit from their name and likeness. Beck, like many other college athletes, recognized that Miami could provide him not only with the football exposure he sought but also the chance to build his personal brand through NIL opportunities.
The combination of playing for a program on the rise, the chance to start immediately, and the appeal of NIL deals ultimately led Beck to choose Miami over staying in the SEC or joining Alabama. His commitment to the Hurricanes signaled a new chapter in his career, one where he would have the chance to showcase his talents and help Miami return to national prominence.
Why Beck’s Move Could Reshape Miami Football
Carson Beck’s transfer to Miami is more than just a quarterback change; it’s a significant moment in the program’s quest to reclaim its status as a national powerhouse. Beck’s experience and leadership will be invaluable in helping the Hurricanes compete in the ACC and on the national stage. With his decision to transfer to Miami, Beck also joins an already talented roster of recruits and transfer portal additions, and his leadership could be the key to turning Miami into a true contender.
Under Cristobal, Miami has been making strides toward returning to the top of college football, and Beck’s addition to the team gives the Hurricanes a legitimate shot at competing in the tough ACC. While the SEC remains the dominant conference in college football, Beck’s decision to leave the SEC and commit to Miami signals the changing dynamics of the sport, where players now have more control over their futures.
Beck’s impact at Miami could be immediate, and with the program’s rising talent and the culture being built under Cristobal, Miami is well-positioned for a breakout year. The Hurricanes, armed with a quarterback who has seen the highest level of college football success, could be poised to make some serious noise in the coming seasons.
Conclusion: A Game-Changing Decision for Beck and Miami
Carson Beck’s decision to transfer to Miami was a carefully considered one, influenced by many factors, including the desire for a fresh start, the appeal of a new offensive system, and the opportunity to become a leader for a program on the rise. Although Alabama and other schools in the SEC made a strong push to land the talented quarterback, it was the Miami Hurricanes that ultimately won out.
In choosing Miami, Beck made a decision that could significantly impact both his future and the future of the Hurricanes’ football program. With the right system in place and the right opportunities on the horizon, Beck could be the player to lead Miami back to national relevance. His journey represents a broader trend in college football, where players have more control than ever before over their careers, and Beck’s choice to leave the SEC and commit to a rising program like Miami could be the move that propels both his future and Miami’s football program into a new era of success.
