Georgia QB Situation: Will Beck Play in the Sugar Bowl?
With the College Football Playoff picture becoming clearer, a question mark hangs over the starting quarterback position for the Georgia Bulldogs.
There’s been no official word from the team regarding Carson Beck’s status after he was injured in Georgia’s recent game against Texas. Coach Kirby Smart confirmed that Beck underwent an MRI on Sunday, and while he shared Beck’s demeanor during a team meeting, details about the injury remain scarce.
“I think he was pretty somber,” Smart said. “A tough deal for him in terms of not being able to go out there and finish in the second half. But he’s also excited for his teammates and happy that it ended the way it did, and ironically he got to be on the field for that.”
Beck had a stellar season for the Bulldogs, throwing for a league-leading 28 touchdowns and 3,485 yards. However, he also led the SEC with 12 interceptions.
Beck has one year of eligibility remaining thanks to the COVID-19 season. It’s unknown whether he will use it or declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s projected as a potential first-round pick but not a top prospect.
Over the past two seasons, Beck has started every game for Georgia, leading the team to a 24-3 record.
If Beck is unable to play in the Sugar Bowl, backup Gunner Stockton would take the helm. Stockton stepped in against Texas and completed 16 passes for 71 yards and added 8 rushing yards, including a crucial first down in overtime. Although his helmet came off on the penultimate play of the game, Coach Smart assured everyone that Stockton was “fine” after the hit to the head.
“There’s not a game we don’t go into that we don’t have a plan for Gunner if he were to have to play,” Smart said. “I mean, when he’s your backup quarterback. He’s got to be ready to play, but he functions and operates really well within our current offense. We don’t think we have to change much in terms of that. He does give us the capability of doing some different things with his athleticism, and I thought Mike and those guys did a good job using that.
“The team has a lot of confidence in Gunner. He’s very smart, very intelligent. So I don’t know that it’s a lot of change. It’s probably more picking the volume correctly in terms of not having everything that we have with Carson but having things that fit Gunner.”
If Stockton starts in the Sugar Bowl, it would be his first collegiate start.
The Bulldogs have time to prepare Stockton as their next game is on New Year’s Day. They will face the winner of the Notre Dame-Indiana first-round game on December 20th.
“This situation does give you time if that’s what has to happen,” Smart said. “I mean, there is time there. But, I mean, experience is so valuable, and you can’t really get experience in this amount of time. I wish he’d gotten more game experience up to this point in time. There’s not a lot we can do about that right now, so we’re just waiting to find out more information.”
Stay Tuned for Updates!
The situation with Carson Beck is fluid, and we will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. For the latest news and analysis on the Georgia Bulldogs and the College Football Playoff, stay tuned to our website!