College football is filled with talented players. Fans of various teams often debate who the best players are, and the debates get particularly heated when quarterbacks enter the conversation.
At the start of the 2024 season, fans were eager to see top QBs like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, and Georgia’s Carson Beck go head-to-head. Beck, who was expected to emerge as the top signal-caller in college football, saw his stock drop significantly.
ESPN Analyst Paul Finebaum Shares Hot Take on Carson Beck’s Performance in 2024
Preseason mock drafts projected Beck as the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — a large number of fans considered him the best active QB in college football. Beck’s performance in 2023 helped build his stock, as he completed 72.4% of his passes for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
In 2024, however, fans and analysts alike began to lose faith in Beck. He finished the 2024 season with a 64.7% completion rate, 3,485 yards, 28 TDs, and 12 INTs. Not to mention — the Georgia Bulldogs lost three games, their highest loss total since 2018.
ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum was particularly disappointed and had a lot to say about the matter on “The Paul Finebaum Show.”
“Georgia had the best quarterback in the country coming back this year, and he never played up to that level,” Finebaum said.
Beck, who sustained an elbow injury during Georgia’s SEC Championship Game against Texas, sat out the Bulldogs’ College Football Playoff game against Notre Dame and watched his team fall to the Fighting Irish. Shortly after, Beck declared for the NFL Draft … before changing his mind and announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal and play for the Miami Hurricanes.
Finebaum Drops Blunt Response to Beck Transfer Announcement
Beck’s decision to transfer to Miami has been met with mixed reactions. While many have concluded that Beck’s decision is financially driven, Finebaum has a different take on the matter.
“Let’s not sugarcoat it: the NFL didn’t want any part of Carson Beck,” Finebaum said. “He had a rough season. I’m sorry he got hurt; I hope he has a good time on South Beach.”
MORE: Travis Hunter Perplexed by Beck’s $10 Million NIL Earnings After Miami Move
Beck will replace outgoing Heisman finalist Cam Ward, who had a remarkable season at Miami. Ward threw for 4,313 yards, 39 TDs, and seven INTs, with a 67.2% completion rate. Ward is projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — some believe Ward might emerge as the No. 1 pick.
Beck’s Miami move will allow him to make his case to the NFL ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Hurricanes, led by Ward, had their best season since 2017, closing with a 10-3 record. Miami failed to make it to the CFP, but with Beck’s help, they might cross that threshold in the coming season.
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