Carson Beck finally earned Kirby Smart's trust, but can Georgia's new QB1 keep it?

Carson Beck did what he couldn’t two years ago: Earn the trust of Kirby Smart. 

After squandering an opportunity to become Georgia’s starting quarterback in 2021, Beck’s patience, hard work and loyalty were rewarded last week when Smart told him he’d earned the QB1 job for the top-ranked Bulldogs in 2023. 

The news became official Saturday, but it’s been a long time coming. It’s no surprise that Beck beat out Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton, both of whom have reportedly had strong camps this fall.

Still, Beck has more experience — both in Georgia’s offensive system and in limited mop-up duty — and has matured on and off the field with his preparation and leadership. Serving as Stetson Bennett’s backup in 2022, Beck was nearly flawless in relief, throwing for 310 yards on 26-of-35 passing and four touchdowns. While he got off to a slow start in camp this August, Beck was the most consistent quarterback, producing explosive plays, avoiding crippling turnovers and getting Georgia in and out of the right plays.

“He’s just ahead,” Smart said in announcing the move after Georgia’s second scrimmage of fall camp Saturday. 

“He’s done the best job.”

While the Bulldogs have a new OC in Mike Bobo, they’re running the same system (and verbiage) that Todd Monken operated the last two seasons. 

“Having the extra spring and extra fall that those two guys don’t have, that rep volume is kind of the separator,” Smart added. 

“He’s had the ability to understand when the defense is doing this, or they’re in this, I need the answer. He’s had good answers.”

Well, here’s his next test — and no — not lead Georgia to a third-straight national championship. That’s the final exam. 

First, can he do what Stetson Bennett did two years ago when he took the job from Carson Beck and JT Daniels and never looked back?

Quick history lesson.

After beating a Top 5 Clemson team in the 2021 season-opener, Georgia was preparing for UAB in Week 2, only Daniels was unavailable with a core injury. Behind the scenes, Beck had been tabbed as UGA’s starter, but he practiced so poorly that the staff opted to turn to Bennett instead. The Mailman delivered with five touchdowns before returning to the bench the next two weeks as Daniels was back healthy. Beck played a few series against the Blazers, throwing a pick-six before bouncing back and responding with a late touchdown. 

But then Daniels got hurt again, and Beck’s missed opportunity three weeks earlier became Bennett’s springboard to one of the most storybook runs in college football history. 

Now Beck finally has his chance to create his own memorable legacy. 

He’s on a loaded team with a defense that churns out high NFL Draft picks like Model T’s back in the early 1900s. He’s protected by one of the best offensive lines in the country, has the No. 1 tight end in America in Brock Bowers, and is surrounded by the best group of receivers in Athens in over a decade. When Georgia takes the field next Saturday against UT-Martin, Beck will finally answer the Jeopardy question of, “Who is the only Top-50 ranked starting quarterback prospect from the 2017-2020 classes never to start a game or transfer during his first three years on campus?” 

The stage is set for Beck to have perhaps Georgia’s greatest one-and-done season ever. The redshirt junior is positioned to topple what DJ Shockley did in 2005 with an SEC Championship, a Heisman Trophy invite, the nation’s first three-peat since the 1930s, and an NFL Draft pick. 

But for any of that to be possible, Beck can’t lose his grip on the job. 

Some of that requires luck and health. Jake Fromm Wally Pipp’d Jacob Eason. Bennett basically did the same to Daniels. Smart has shown he’ll ride the hot hand, and it’s also clear that Georgia’s head coach really likes the potential of Vandagriff and Stockton, too. 

Beck’s persistence and experience (and high floor) earned him the start. Finally, this is his team. His time to shine. But there are still unknowns to navigate. How will Beck perform when the lights are brightest? Can he win on the road in the SEC or lead Georgia to victory in his hometown of Jacksonville against the rival Gators?

For now, Beck aced the first test. Two years ago he didn’t have Smart’s trust. He does now.

Can he keep it?