Carson Beck’s decision to move from Georgia to Miami has become one of the most surprising moves of the college football season.
The quarterback initially declared for the NFL Draft in late December 2024 and appeared ready to end his college career after leading the Georgia Bulldogs.
Just weeks later, Beck reversed course, entering the transfer portal and committing to play his final season with the Miami Hurricanes on January 10.
The move quickly paid off. Beck has led Miami to the College Football Playoff semifinals, keeping the Hurricanes in contention for the national title as Georgia’s season ended.
According to ESPN, financial opportunity and draft positioning played a key role in the decision. Beck benefited from a major NIL deal and the opportunity to increase his NFL stock in Miami’s offense.
“ESPN’s Melk Kiper Jr. rated Beck as the fifth quarterback in his draft rankings,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel wrote at the time of the transfer.
“Beck was viewed as a potential first-round pick entering his senior season and will now look to increase his draft stock, much like (Cam) Ward did with a big season in Coral Gables.”
Thamel noted Ward’s path as a model after the former Washington State quarterback transferred to Miami, producing 4,313 passing yards and 43 touchdowns and landing in the top 10 of draft projections.
Beck’s departure from Georgia also followed a shift on the depth chart.
He lost his starting role to Gunner Stockton, who led the Bulldogs to the CFP quarterfinals after Beck suffered an elbow injury late in the season.
“Beck is expected to visit Miami this weekend, and his commitment comes less than 24 hours after his surprise decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday,” Thamel wrote.
“After declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft on December 28, Beck will instead head to Miami for his final season of eligibility.”
As NIL reshapes college football, Beck’s pick underscores how fluid quarterbacks’ careers have become.
