Joel Klatt downplays concerns about a new quarterback at Georgia
The shift from Stetson Bennett to Carson Beck as Georgia’s QB1 has been one of the very few concerns for this upcoming year in Athens. However, FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt doesn’t see that replacement as an issue whatsoever.
Klatt addressed the Bulldog’s call at quarterback on his show on Monday. He said that the team handing the baton off to Beck won’t make that much of a difference because, with how they’re constructed, the quarterback is only the icing on their cake. To him, the foundation that Georgia’s program has been built on has nothing to do with who’s taking snaps for them.
“They’re not quarterback-centric. As good as Bennett was, they’re not a quarterback-centric program,” said Klatt. “They don’t rely on their quarterback to be a world-beater or a Superman. It’s not a quarterback-centric program so it doesn’t really matter.”
“They’re about roster, they’re about culture, they’re about speed and athleticism,” Klatt said. “They have still have that with one of the best roster if not the best roster, in college football.”
With that said, Beck has a lot to live up to when it comes to Bennett’s resume. His rags-to-riches story from a walk-on to a Heisman Trophy finalist, an SEC Champion, and a two-time national champion will always be remembered between the hedges and in the sport.
As far as Georgia, though, Klatt says the pick at quarterback will only take them so far. They’re as highly regarded as they are because of what they’ve built around that position rather than because of it.
Now, that roster, specifically their offense, and their culture will be what gives Beck a great shot to catch up to Bennett when it comes to titles.
Smart discusses Beck’s comfort level in Georgia’s offense
Kirby Smart named Carson Beck as the team’s starting quarterback on Saturday as the Bulldogs have reached the home stretch of fall camp.
It’s no secret that Beck was the eldest in the quarterback room and the front-runner to win the job. Still, Smart recently detailed how Beck’s knowledge and comfort level was able to put him a step ahead.
“That’s the greatest separator of he and the other two quarterbacks is his comfort level with the offense. When you have the extra spring, an extra fall that those two guys don’t have? That rep volume is kind of the separator,” Smart explained. “I mean he’s had an ability to understand a little bit. When the defense is doing this and we’re in this and I need an answer? He’s had the answers.”
Beck’s ability to stand toe to toe against the defense and perform utilizing the Bulldog’s entire playbook gives Smart confidence in him moving forward.
“It’s challenge and Carson can handle that really well. When you get down to a game plan week? And you say we’re only going to take this 65% of our offense and a defense only does so much? You’re not asking those quarterbacks to make as many decisions,” Smart explained. “But Carson is very knowledgeable, very intelligent. (He’s) one of the smartest quarterbacks I’ve been around when it comes to being able to handle the volume of offense we do combined with the defense we throw at him.”