NFL.com analyst and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah takes a "first look" at some of college football's top players for 2024. This is the fourth and final entry in a series of scouting reports that ran in July.
It was a long wait for Carson Beck. The four-star recruit sat behind Stetson Bennett for three years at Georgia before getting a chance to be the full-time starter last season. He took full advantage when the opportunity finally came his way.
Beck led the Bulldogs to a 13-1 campaign, positioning himself at the forefront of the conversation for top quarterback in college football entering the 2024 season. Displaying a great mix of arm strength, accuracy from the pocket and decision-making ability, he ranked third in the FBS with 3,941 passing yards. The team's lone loss -- which ended a 29-game winning streak for the program -- was a three-point defeat to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. It marked just the second time all year that Beck didn't throw a touchdown pass. A couple weeks later, he announced he would be returning for the 2024 season.
Hungry for a third national championship in four years, Georgia is once again a leading contender to win the title and Beck is one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. This has a chance to be a very special time for the native of Jacksonville, Florida. Will his ascent continue? After breaking down Beck's game tape from last year, here is my initial scouting report.
Height, weight: 6-foot-3 7/8, 233 pounds (as of spring 2024).
2023 statistics (14 games): 302-of-417 (72.4%) for 3,941 yards (9.4 per attempt), 24 TDs and 6 INTs; 60 carries for 116 yards (1.9 average), 4 TDs.
Game tape watched: vs. Kentucky (Oct. 7, 2023), vs. Missouri (Nov. 4, 2023), at Tennessee (Nov. 18, 2023).
What I liked: Beck has prototypical size and arm strength. He has a quick/compact release and he operates with a very firm/strong base. He can power the ball into tight windows. I saw him consistently utilize anticipation, velocity and ball placement to fit the ball between a triangle of defenders. He flashes the athleticism to pick up free yards when they are presented, but he prefers to read through his progression and work from the pocket.
Georgia's offensive system does a nice job of easing him into games with quick/easy throws before expanding the field. He is accurate underneath and displays touch to make life easy on pass catchers. He has quick feet and hands in the RPO game. He also has a good feel on back-shoulder throws down the field. There is a lot to like about his game.
Where he needs to improve: I didn't see a lot to critique in the three games I studied. The biggest issue for Beck is his accuracy when he's moved off his spot. He has good pocket feel/presence but his accuracy does suffer when he has to move/reset and deliver the ball.
The other issue is his passes can get a little flat at times on layer throws. The problem is a flat throw on those types of passes can allow underneath defenders to tip the ball, which could lead to turnovers. I believe both areas can be addressed and improved.
Biggest takeaway: Beck could have transferred earlier in his career, but he chose to wait his turn for three seasons before winning the starting job last season. I believe his patience is about to be rewarded. He has all the tools to be a top draft pick and the talent around him should lead to a deep postseason run for the Bulldogs. The SEC is stacked, but I came away very impressed with the overall depth and talent of the Georgia roster. Beck is easily the most talented UGA passer since Matthew Stafford departed after the 2008 season and I can't wait to study his play this fall.
He reminds me of: Beck was measured by scouts in the spring at 6-3 7/8 and 233 pounds. Considering his size, talent and play style, he reminds me of Eli Manning coming out of Ole Miss. Like Manning, Beck excels from the pocket and plays to his size. Eli was a little underappreciated during his career, but he won his first title with a good rushing attack in an offense that required him to make plays in key moments. I see a similar trajectory for Beck at Georgia.
I can't wait to watch him play: vs. Clemson on Aug. 31 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. How's that for a matchup on the first full weekend of the 2024 college football season? This is the best game of the week, and it will garner the attention of the entire college football world. That's quite a stage for Beck and I anticipate he'll put on a show. I'm hopeful the Georgia staff will open up the playbook and cut him loose. Now that he has the experience to go along with his obvious talent, he's due to make a major leap.
