Kirby Smart shares importance of Carson Beck returning to Georgia

In an offseason filled with player movement through the NCAA transfer portal, the Georgia Bulldogs can rest well at night knowing that starting quarterback Carson Beck is returning for another season under center for Georgia’s offense.

Beck announced his decision to return to Athens for the 2024 season on December 18, and on a recent SEC Network appearance, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart spoke on how important Beck’s return to the team is for the Bulldogs moving forward.

“He sets an example; he sets a tone,” Smart said. “He watched a lot of quarterbacks before him go through a lot of things. He’s a leader in that meeting room, he’s a leader on the field. To have him back, it creates a lot of confidence and energy for our team.”

Beck joined Georgia ahead of the 2020 season after being tabbed as a four-star prospect out of Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida where he was ranked the No. 224 overall player and No. 16 quarterback in the nation for the 2020 recruiting class according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

There’s no question he had to wait his turn upon his arrival in Athens, spending three seasons as a backup quarterback for the Bulldogs before winning the starting job ahead of the 2023 season.

His patience paid off, leading the Bulldogs to a 13-1 record last year in his first season as the starter. His 3,941 passing yards ranked third in the nation and first in the SEC, adding 24 touchdown passes and just six interceptions to his impressive stat line from 2023. And Smart believes that his return for the 2024 season will do nothing but potentially elevate not just Georgia’s offense, but the entire team next season.

“A lot of the guys around him on offense have more confidence because he’s coming aback and the defensive players know we’re gonna have the ability to score points and be explosive,” Smart explained.
“When you have an experienced quarterback, it drives your offense. We’re lucky to have him coming back.”

There’s no question the expectations are going to be high for Carson Beck, who’s currently in a three-way tie for the best odds to take home next year’s Heisman Trophy at +750. As he’ll look to return the Bulldogs back to the championship heights they achieved in the two seasons before he earned the starting job.