Kirby Smart details the value of Carson Beck playing behind Sedrick Van Pran

Kirby Smart recognizes the value in freshly-minted Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck taking snaps from veteran center Sedrick Van Pran.

Van Pran has been lauded for his play and leadership abilities over his time in Athens, and while Smart is confident in Beck’s abilities regardless, he relented that it could only be a positive that Van Pran is there for his quarterback.

“I would say familiarity,” Smart responded, asked about the benefits of Beck playing behind Van Pran. “He knows that Sedrick’s been there. But it’s probably overrated, because Carson understands fronts, coverages, pressures. He can identify protections, point runs. He can do a lot of different things. So he doesn’t have to rely on Sedrick, like maybe a new quarterback would. Because I don’t really see Carson that way.

“He understands it. He gets it. He’s had a ton of reps. So I think the fact that he’s got somebody that’s played in big moments. Someone to snap the ball in tough environments, is comforting. But as far as what Sedrick provides for Carson, it’s probably reassurance.”

While Beck has the ability, Smart wouldn’t choose him to be his quarterback without it, having Van Pran certainly won’t hurt. It’s only going to help the Bulldogs adjust more fluently to their new quarterback.

Continuing, Beck’s fellow teammate, offensive lineman Amarius Mims, waxed poetic about Van Pran earlier this offseason, specifically his leadership skills. Speaking with the media, Mims explained why he believes Van Pran isn’t just the leader of Georgia’s offensive line, but the center runs the team as a whole.

“Not just the offensive line, but the team. Literally our team leader, in my opinion,” explained Mims. Just because like, he’s the vocal guy, when things aren’t going good, or when things are going good, he’s going to be the first one to step up and be like, ‘Y’all, we need to do this better. We’re going this good. Keep it up,’ and I feel like, that was one of the biggest pieces like, in my opinion, of our team. 

“Like that he came back. Just proud. I’m glad that he did, because he’s one heck of a player, I’ll say that.”

Alas, Sedrick Van Pran has a long football future ahead of him, as the NFL will be beckoning after this season. But for now, he’s just looking at helping Carson Beck adjust, so Georgia can three-peat in 2023.