Carson Beck isn't as much of a longshot to win the Heisman as you think

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is a sleeper for the Heisman trophy and not as much of a longshot as you think, according to On3’s Andy Staples.

Beck is likely the starting quarterback for the Bulldogs this fall. Because of the success of Georgia, and a potential third straight national title, that might put Beck into the spotlight.

Staples gave another example of a longshot that turned into a Heisman winner.

“About four years ago, Joe Burrow was +20,000 to win the Heisman,” Staples said. “When the odds open, that means you bet 100 bucks, you win 20 grand. That is how much of a long shot. Joe Burrow was going into that season … Carson Beck, probably the starting quarterback in Georgia, let’s think about how Heisman Trophy voting works, and I’m a Heisman voter, I try to look at all 22 positions. 

“I have had defensive lineman number one on my ballot before … So I’m looking at everybody, but I don’t know that all of the Heisman electorate is doing that. For the most part, it’s a quarterback on a team that is competing for the College Football Playoff for the national title. So Carson Beck +2200 feels pretty safe.”

Don’t forget, Stetson Bennett was a Heisman finalist last year. While his numbers were solid, they weren’t otherworldly.

He just happened to win two straight national titles with Georgia and parlayed that into an NFL Draft selection by the Los Angeles Rams.

“Because you look at Georgia’s schedule, they’re gonna be favored in every game they play,” Staples said. “There’s a very good chance it’s Georgia (during) SEC championship weekend, as in the SEC championship game. That’s the last weekend to watch games before you vote on the deadlines that Monday. If he has a good year, and I think he will and I think Georgia is gonna throw the ball around quite a bit this season, the defense, if it takes any step back, still gonna be really good. 

“But they might want to score some more points … You’re gonna see him chucking it around. So a team that could be 11-1 or 12-0, going into that championship weekend, that starting quarterback has a real good chance. He’s high on some Heisman list. So Carson Beck, +2200.”

As a member of the Class of 2020, Beck was a four-star recruit out of Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 34 overall prospect in the state, the No. 16 quarterback in the class and the No. 224 overall prospect in the class.