Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) putts in his mouth grad on the final play during overtime of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

Georgia QB Carson Beck declares for 2025 NFL Draft

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck announced Saturday that he will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft.

Beck, 22, led the Southeastern Conference with 28 touchdown passes and finished third in the SEC with 3,485 passing yards. He also led the conference in interceptions, however.

Beck will be a spectator for the Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff after undergoing surgery Monday to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow.

Gunner Stockton is in line to guide No. 2 seed Georgia into the CFP, starting with the Bulldogs’ quarterfinal game against No. 7 seed Notre Dame at the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday in New Orleans.

“There’s unfinished business still this season and I’ll be here to support however I can, finish strong!” Beck said in a statement posted on social media.

Beck, a fifth-year senior, finished with a 24-3 record in his career with Georgia.

“The past five years at the University of Georgia have been nothing short of a dream come true and I will forever cherish the memories that have been made. Thank you Dawg Nation for the time I’ve been here and to those who’ve supported and believed in me, thank you,” Beck wrote on social media. “It’s been an incredible journey and all these moments have ultimately led me to take the next step in my football career. With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. Go Dawgs!”

Beck, the Bulldogs’ starter all year, was replaced in the second half of the SEC title game with the injury. Stockton helped to guide the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win over Texas and clinch a first-round bye in the first 12-team playoff.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) goes down after a hit on this trowing shoulder during the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

Georgia QB Carson Beck has shoulder surgery, out for CFP

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck underwent elbow surgery Monday and will not play in the College Football Playoff, the school announced.

Beck had successful surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow. He saw Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for the procedure.

That leaves Gunner Stockton in line to guide No. 2 seed Georgia into the CFP, starting with the Bulldogs’ quarterfinal game against No. 7 seed Notre Dame at the Sugar Bowl Jan. 1 in New Orleans.

“(Stockton) got lots of reps prior to these practices, but he’s getting much more now,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said earlier in the day. “I do think … when you get ready for an opponent like Notre Dame, you need time, and we have time.”

It also means Beck may have played his final game of college football, as before the injury he was expected to be a high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Beck, the Bulldogs’ starter all year, missed most of the second half of the Southeastern Conference title game with the injury. Stockton helped guide the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win over Texas and clinch a first-round bye in the first 12-team playoff.

Beck threw for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season, his second as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

Stockton has amassed 206 passing yards, no touchdowns and one interception in three appearances this season.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Athens, Ga., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.

Report: Georgia QB Carson Beck out for CFP quarterfinals

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (elbow) is expected to miss the team’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal game at the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, On3 reported Thursday.

That means backup Gunner Stockton is in line to start the knockout round game, when the Bulldogs face either No. 7 seed Notre Dame or No. 10 seed Indiana.

Beck, the Bulldogs’ starter all year, missed most of the second half of the Southeastern Conference title game with an injury to the UCL in his right (throwing) elbow. Stockton helped guide the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win over Texas and clinch a first-round bye in the first 12-team playoff.

On3 reported that Beck has not practiced or been with the team since it returned to workouts late last week.

It is unknown whether Beck would be ready to return for the semifinal round if the Bulldogs make it that far.

Beck has thrown for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season, his second as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) goes down after a hit on this trowing shoulder during the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

Report: Georgia QB Carson Beck suffered UCL injury

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck sustained an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow during the SEC championship game, On3 reported Monday.

Beck is getting second opinions and there is no timetable for his return, according to the report.

Beck was injured on the final play of the first half and was ruled out for the second half. However, he returned to hand the ball off to running back Trevor Etienne for the game-winning touchdown in overtime to defeat Texas after his replacement, Gunner Stockton, was injured on a big hit.

Texas’ Trey Moore forced a fumble on Beck’s Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half. Beck remained motionless on the field for a short time before joining the team in the locker room.

Second-seeded Georgia is set to face the winner of No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 10 Indiana on Jan. 1 in the Sugar Bowl, the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff.

Beck has thrown for 3,485 yards and a career-high 28 touchdowns against 12 interceptions this season. He was 7-for-13 for just 56 yards prior to getting injured.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) looks for a receiver during the second half against Washington Huskies cornerback Jordan Shaw (3) at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Top 10 player props for college football’s Championship Weekend

There is extra electricity in the air for college football fans. If this weekend’s conference championship games live up to the hype, we are in for some epic football. Fans can turn that excitement up a notch by getting in on the action with some college football player props.

With fewer games, there aren’t as many options to review, but there are still hundreds of player props for your betting pleasure. But which ones should you go with? We’ve got a few ideas. Here’s our list of the top 10 player props for conference championship weekend.

Odds via FanDuel unless otherwise stated:

Big 12: Iowa State vs. Arizona State

Cam Skattebo, O/U 119.5 Rushing Yards at -114/-114; Alt Rushing Yards: 125+ at +102

Iowa State ranks 96th in run defense and has allowed a 100-yard rusher in four of its last six games. Skattebo has been impressive for most of the season, cracking 100+ rushing yards in six of 11 games, including his last two.

He has had 20+ carries in all but three games, and as long as he logs 20+ vs. Iowa State’s questionable run defense, he’ll go OVER his total.

If you aren’t a fan of minus-money odds, consider putting your money on one of his alternate markets. You’ll need to go with 125+ rushing yards to get to plus-money odds. Skattebo has gone over 125 yards six of the eight times he has tallied at least 20 carries. He also went for 150+ yards (+205 odds) in five games.

Rocco Becht, O/U 235.5 Passing Yards at -115/-115 (odds via BetMGM)

Iowa State does not have a good run defense, so the best way the Cyclones can neutralize Skattebo is by throwing their way to an early lead and forcing Arizona State to try to keep up via their own passing game.

Iowa State has been a solid passing team this season, averaging 258 yards per game, 36th in Division I.

Becht threw for OVER 235.5 yards in eight games this season, including six of the last eight. Arizona State has allowed 243.3 passing yards per game in its last three contests, and necessity will push Becht’s total OVER 235.5 yards.

Southeastern Conference: Georgia vs. Texas

Quinn Ewers, O/U 238.5 Passing Yards at -117/-117 (odds via Caesars)

Ewers is a capable passer and has some solid skill position players at his disposal, but he threw for just 211 yards against Georgia on Oct. 19. The last time he notched 238.5+ yards was against Florida on Nov. 9 (333). Of the 10 games he has played in, he went UNDER that mark in six.

Georgia has allowed 196.2 passing yards per game this season, and the Bulldogs have averaged UNDER 200 yards allowed against their last three opponents despite giving up 303 to Georgia Tech last weekend.

Texas will need to throw to beat Georgia, but don’t bank on Ewers going off. Take the UNDER.

Carson Beck, O/U .5 Interceptions at -148/+108 (odds via Caesars)

Beck went through a six-game span in the middle of the season where he struggled with turnovers, throwing all 12 of his interceptions during that stretch, including three picks against Texas.

He hasn’t thrown one in his last three games, but with the Texas pass rush keeping him off balance for most of the day, he’ll throw at least one.
Take the OVER.

Dominic Lovett, O/U 52.5 receiving yards at -114/-114

Texas has the No. 1 pass defense in the country, allowing just 143.7 yards per game. When these teams faced each other in October, the Longhorns held Beck to 175 yards through the air. Of that total, Lovett had 35. In 12 games this season, he’s gone OVER 52.5 just three times and once in his last eight games.

There is no reason to think he’ll do better against the Texas defense this time. Take the UNDER.

Big Ten: Penn State vs. Oregon

Dillon Gabriel, O/U 1.5 Passing Touchdowns at -114/-114

Gabriel has thrown a touchdown pass in 11 of 12 games this season and at least two in 10 of them. Penn State’s pass defense looks great on paper and has given up just 11 passing touchdowns this season, but Oregon has the 14th-best passing offense in the country at 277.6 yards per game.

Gabriel will toss at least two scores against the Nittany Lions. Take the OVER.

Tyler Warren, O/U 69.5 Receiving Yards at -117/-117

Penn State’s big tight end is arguably the best in the nation and is a solid receiver, with 69.5+ yards in three of his last four games and five overall this season. He will undoubtedly be one of Drew Allar’s top targets in this game, but stats for the Nittany Lions are somewhat inflated this year due to a relatively easy schedule.

But we do have one game we can use as a reference: Ohio State. Warren had four catches for 47 yards (31 coming on one reception) in that game. This game will be a lot like that one. Take the UNDER.

Atlantic Coast Conference: Clemson vs. SMU

Phil Mafah, O/U 82.5 Rushing Yards at -114/-114

Mafah had 17 yards on 17 carries against Pitt on Nov. 16 and tallied just 14 yards on three rushes against the Citadel the following week. In a must-win game last week, the Tigers’ lead back managed 66 yards on 20 carries. He’s a solid running back, but he’s been overworked and has hit a wall.

Don’t expect him to get past the wall against SMU’s No. 4 run defense, which allows just 95.8 yards per game. Take the UNDER.

Brashard Smith, 100+ Rushing Yards at +150 (odds via DraftKings)

Smith has carried the ball 193 times for the Mustangs this year, gaining 1,157 yards (96.4 per game) and scoring 14 touchdowns in the process. He failed to clear 70 in SMU’s last two games but has notched 100+ yards in six of 12 games this season.

Clemson does not have a bad defense, but it isn’t the dominant unit it was when the Tigers competed for national championships. It was gashed by the better-run teams it faced this season. Don’t count on them to slow Smith down.

Take Smith to run for 100+, but if you want to play it a little safer, the odds for Smith eclipsing 90 yards are +100.

–Travis Pulver, Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) passes the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Carson Beck throws for career-high 459 yards as No. 5 Georgia downs Mississippi State

Carson Beck completed 36 of 48 passes for 459 yards and three touchdowns as No. 5 Georgia beat visiting Mississippi State 41-31 in Southeastern Conference play Saturday in Athens, Ga.

Beck, who threw two interceptions, set a career high in passing yards as Georgia (5-1, 3-1) won its second straight game. Arian Smith caught five balls for 134 yards and a touchdown for Georgia.

Michael Van Buren Jr. completed 20 of 37 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns for Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3), which dropped its fifth straight game. Van Buren also threw an interception in his second career start. Kevin Coleman Jr. caught eight passes for 103 yards.

Leading 27-10, it took Georgia just three plays to score on its opening drive of the second half, as Beck found Smith for a 42-yard touchdown with 13:48 left in the third.

Mississippi State responded with an eight-play, 75-yard scoring drive that was stamped with Johnnie Daniels’ 19-yard rushing score at the 8:27 mark. Beck then led Georgia down the field again, but was picked off in the end zone by DeAgo Brumfield.

Mississippi State then strung together an eight-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in Van Buren’s two-yard touchdown pass to Davon Booth with 2:40 remaining in the third, cutting the deficit to 34-24.

Georgia iced the game with a 16-play, 81-yard drive that ate up 7:26, ending with Trevor Etienne’s one-yard rushing score with 3:33 left. Mississippi State added a late score, as Van Buren found Kelly Akharaiyi for a 35-yard score with 1:47 remaining.

After Mississippi State’s Kyle Ferrie and Peyton Woodring traded field goals to begin the scoring, Georgia marched down the field on an eight-play, 81-yard drive that resulted in Branson Robinson’s five-yard rushing touchdown at the 2:13 mark of the first quarter.

Woodring tacked on another field goal, this time from 32 yards with 10:54 remaining in the second quarter.

Van Buren then found Mario Craver for 72 yards to the Georgia five-yard line. Van Buren later connected with Akharaiyi for a 24-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to 13-10 with 8:46 left in the second.

Beck threw touchdown passes to finish the next two Georgia drives, the first ending with a 31-yard score to Dillon Bell, the second on a Lawson Luckie catch for a one-yard score with 1:56 left, giving Georgia a 27-10 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) throws a touchdown pass to Georgia wide receiver Rara Thomas (5) during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

Georgia QB Carson Beck returning in 2024

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck announced Monday that he will be back for his senior season.

Replacing Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to national championships in 2021 and ‘22, Beck threw for 3,738 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions in his first season as a starter. He completed 72.4 percent of his passes, which ranked sixth nationally, just ahead of Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU.

Beck and the No. 6 Bulldogs (12-1) face No. 5 Florida State in the Orange Bowl Dec. 30.

“My friends and family have helped put me in a situation to have options for my future,” Beck said in a statement posted to Georgia football’s X account. “However, the NFL can wait one more year. I am returning to UGA for my senior season. We need everyone’s support in Miami to close this season out the right way!”

Also on Monday, five-star QB recruit Dylan Raiola of Buford (Ga.) High School — who had committed to the Bulldogs in May — flipped to Nebraska after an official visit this past weekend. Raiola was considered the No. 1 quarterback in the class by 247Sports and ranked No. 2 among signal-callers in the 247Sports composite.

However, Ryan Puglisi, a top-10 quarterback prospect, has already joined Georgia and will take part in bowl practices.

Earlier this month, former four-star recruit Brock Vandagriff, who served as Beck’s backup, announced he is transferring to Kentucky. Redshirt freshman QB Gunner Stockton saw limited action and is expected to return in 2024.

–Field Level Media

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) warms up before the start of a NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023.

Baseball background helps Georgia QB Carson Beck face pressure

Georgia football fans have plenty of reason to be happy that a former Florida baseball commit is now running the Bulldogs’ offense.

As No. 1 Georgia begins preparations to visit Vanderbilt on Saturday, coach Kirby Smart pointed to quarterback Carson Beck’s baseball background as a major reason why Beck can handle the pressures of facing a heavy blitz when leading the nation’s top-ranked team.

There’s no blitzing in baseball, of course, but Smart feels there is immense pressure in different ways.

“You know, a baseball background, I’ve learned, gives you the ability to handle pressure, because there’s no greater pressure than you have to throw a strike,” Smart said. “Nobody can help you throw that strike — no coach, no pitching coach. You gotta stand out there and throw a strike. … And (Beck) does well under pressure, and he has 10 good friends that are on the same page with him.”

Beck had a career day Saturday when Georgia crushed then-No. 20 Kentucky 51-13. He set personal highs in completions (28 on 35 attempts), yards (389) and touchdowns (four) — all while Kentucky blitzed him relentlessly. He won SEC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

“First and foremost, the offensive line picking up the blitz helps me. Big time,” Beck said Monday. “Not only that, but the center, Sedrick (Van Pran), and my study of film and seeing what defenses are going to try and do when they do blitz us, making the right ID as far as Mike points and changing protections and all that stuff. Having Sedrick there to help me with that and then also just studying film. Obviously, the execution of it, picking up the blitz, but that’s a huge credit to our offensive line.”

Smart cited not only Beck’s composure, but also his mental processing as keys to beat a blitz.

“You have to process information rapidly, and the more information you can handle, the more flexibility your offense has. And the flexibility of an offense is usually tied to what the quarterback can handle. And our quarterback — not only because he’s smart, because he’s also of age and been in the same system for multiple years — has been able to grow from that.”

Beck, a junior from Jacksonville, Fla., grew up a Gators fan and committed at one point to play baseball for Florida with one of his friends. Before long, football became his best sport, and his best option for college.

“Being a pitcher, playing baseball, you’re the only guy that’s really doing anything when you’re up there pitching,” Beck said. “Baseball’s a little bit more boring of a sport. When you’re sitting there pitching, you’re the guy, all the weight is on you to sit there and execute. Whether you’re throwing 80, 90, 100 pitches a game. I definitely say that can accredit to the way that I handle pressure.”

After joining Georgia, he waited patiently behind Stetson Bennett, the quarterback of Georgia’s back-to-back national title teams.

Smart was never concerned about the Bulldogs’ shift this season from Bennett and offensive coordinator Todd Monken to Beck and new OC Mike Bobo.

“I made a quick decision there because I was really confident, and we had the luxury of having a quarterback coming back that really wasn’t your typical first-time starter,” Smart said. “When you have a guy that’s been in the system as long as he has, I felt comfortable that he knew the system.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) reacts after a touchdown against the UAB Blazers in the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 Georgia braces for Auburn in Carson Beck’s first SEC road test

No. 1 Georgia handed out a travel itinerary for the first time this season as the Bulldogs begin marching toward their first road game of the season on Saturday at Auburn.

All-SEC wide receiver Ladd McConkey hasn’t played this season due to a back injury. He could be on hand for the first time this season to assist quarterback Carson Beck in his first career start away from Athens.

“You’ve got to practice. You’ve got to be able to practice. How he does in those things will determine whether or not he’s able to play. He had kind of a two-week advised shutdown,” head coach Kirby Smart said on Monday.

Smart hasn’t coached against Hugh Freeze, in his first season at Auburn, since 2016 in Freeze’s final season at Ole Miss. While film reveals some of the offensive concepts are the same, Smart doesn’t see the same scheme with the Tigers using multiple quarterbacks.

“People evolve. They’ve evolved,” Smart said. “They’re really hard to defend. There are so many options to it.”

Georgia beat UAB to stay perfect this season. SEC play begins on Saturday and Smart knows many of his players are being measured in a road game for the first time in their current roles.

“Road SEC tests are always difficult. There’s no way around it,” Smart said. “It’s always a test of focus, endurance, composure — all the qualities you need to be a good team.”

Part of going on the road in the conference is being willing to simplify the game plan to counter crowd noise to control those variables. What that looks like, Smart said they’ll know when they get to Auburn.

Georgia has used crowd noise since spring practice not to simulate the decibel level in away games but to force players to communicate precisely while executing assignment football.

Beck has never started a game on the road with Georgia, which relied on two-time national champion Stetson Bennett the previous two seasons.

Is Beck ready to win on the road in the SEC?

“I think that’s something that we’re going to find out. I don’t think you know. He’s been through some ups and downs. He’s certainly been against good defenses, like Auburn has … he goes against our guys. It’s different when it’s live. So you’ve got to find out how he responds to that.”

Experience in the Bulldogs’ system gives Smart a bit of ease about how Beck will react and communicate.

“You only get good at these situational football things by playing football. This is his first chance to do it on the road,” Smart said.

–Field Level Media