Cam Ward came to Miami football via the transfer portal in 2024 and immediately put the Hurricanes back on the college football map. Now it’s Carson Beck’s turn to lead them to new lands: the College Football Playoff.
That’s a place Beck is plenty familiar with, though he was only the backup quarterback when his Georgia team won back-to-back national championships. He took them back in 2024 but couldn’t play in any CFP games after a devastating injury ended his season and his time in Athens.
Beck put up good numbers with the Bulldogs, throwing for 7,426 yards and 52 touchdowns in two seasons as a starter. He was considered a first-round draft pick after his 2023 season, but a sharp decline in accuracy and a sharp increase in interceptions led his draft stock to fall. So to prove to scouts that he still had it, and to show his throwing arm was fully healed after his season-ending injury, Beck decided to enter the transfer portal and head to Miami.
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“This is my future, and I think that this decision is one of the better decisions I’ve made,” Beck said at ACC Media Days on July 22. “Just trying to develop those relationships and that camaraderie, it’s just reinforced my decision in a positive way.”
Of course, that decision is helped by a hefty payday thanks to name, image and likeness agreements, and Beck’s NIL deal with Miami was one of the richest in college football. Miami fans are ready for him to show he’s worth the money, and he’ll get a prime chance to show it when the No. 10 Hurricanes host No. 5 Notre Dame in the season opener.
Here’s what to know about the new Miami quarterback, including his age, stats, NIL worth and history, including his injury status and how to watch the Week 1 game:
Carson Beck age: How old is Carson Beck?
Yes, Carson Beck is old for a college player (though Miami fielded 26-year-old tight end Cam McCormick last season). Beck is 23 years old and will turn 24 on Nov. 19, a few days after Miami plays Louisville. He is entering his sixth season in college football, a more common sight after the NCAA granted all players an extra year of eligibility for the COVID-impacted 2020 season. Beck redshirted that season at UGA.
Carson Beck high school: Former Georgia QB came from Jacksonville
Carson Beck was born in Jacksonville and played at Mandarin High School. In 2018, Beck led Mandarin from a 2-8 record to the Florida Class 8A championship, earning him Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football honors. He threw for 3,546 yards and 39 touchdowns against eight interceptions his junior season.
Carson Beck injury: Why did Carson Beck leave Georgia?
Carson Beck committed to Georgia and started there in 2020. He was the backup to Stetson Bennett on the Bulldogs’ 2021 and 2022 national championship teams, appearing in 11 games over those two seasons. He assumed the starting job in 2023 and had a strong season, leading the SEC with 3,941 passing yards and tossing 24 TDs against only six picks. UGA started 12-0 but lost to Nick Saban’s Alabama in the SEC championship, leading to an Orange Bowl appearance against Florida State.
Beck was less consistent in 2024, upping his touchdown total to 28 but seeing his interceptions double to 12, the most in the SEC. Still, he led the Bulldogs back to the SEC championship game against conference newcomer Texas. On the final play of the first half, Beck was scrambling to set up one last heave to the end zone but was rocked from behind. He was holding his right elbow on the field after the play and did not return for the second half.
Beck would not play for Georgia in the Sugar Bowl after getting surgery to repair his UCL. He initially declared for the NFL draft before deciding to instead enter the transfer portal and use his final year of college eligibility to prove to NFL teams that his arm was healed and he was worthy of a high pick.
UGA reportedly was willing to bring Beck back, but the quarterback decided he wanted a fresh start. He got it in Miami, where the Hurricanes were looking to fill the void left by Heisman finalist and No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. Beck has said the elbow is fully healed.
Carson Beck NIL: How much is Carson Beck making?
The gap between the reported and actual worth of NIL contracts can be fairly wide. Initial reports had Beck’s NIL agreement to play for Miami at $4 million. Front Office Sports reported in January that he had secured $10 million over the previous 12 months from his brand deals and from Miami NIL collective Canes Connection.
In June, Pete Nakos of On3 reported Beck’s NIL deal at between $3 million and $3.2 million. That’s the second-highest NIL deal in college football, behind the $4 million deal going to Duke quarterback Darian Mensah.
Before the Miami transfer was even on the table, Beck had already been getting enough money to buy a Lamborghini (which got stolen in South Florida in February, though it was returned).
Carson Beck girlfriend: Is he dating Hanna Cavinder?
There was more than NIL money and an opening starting spot pulling Beck to Miami. At the time of his decision, Beck was dating Hanna Cavinder, who played on the UM women’s basketball team. She’s better known for her role as an influencer with her sister and teammate, Haley Cavinder. The couple started dating in the summer of 2024, and he and his sister, Kylie, had made appearances at Hurricanes basketball games.
However, their relationship ended in March after a nasty back-and-forth over social media that involved allegations of cheating and disrespect.
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Contributing: Clayton Freeman, The Florida Times-Union; and Niles Garrison, USA TODAY Network – Florida
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Why did Carson Beck leave Georgia? Details on Miami quarterback, NIL contract
Reporting by Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Palm Beach Post
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