Carson Beck looks back at development, ahead to Georgia QB battle
Georgia Football is back in the building and has started up its winter workout program as the Bulldogs look to turn the page from repeat to three-peat in 2023. Kirby Smart’s crew accomplished the first of those earlier this month by beating TCU in Los Angeles. I’m sure I don’t have to remind you all of that. However, in a way, the quest to accomplish the second of the lofty goals started before the first was even finished.
With 13:25 to go in the fourth quarter, Stetson Bennett came off the field for the last time in red and black, receiving a well-deserved curtain call at SoFi Stadium. He tied the National Championship Game record accounting for six touchdown on Georgia’s way to the 65-7 win. As he came off, Carson Beck came on to finish out the game and usher in a new era for the Georgia quarterback room.
“I think it’s been really good. I’ve gotten some opportunities to get in a few games but coming out to practice every day, going into meetings and learning and developing, continuing to get better and be the best that I can,” Beck told DawgsHQ about the experience of this season prior to the National Championship. “Last year I was a little nervous. That was my first time playing in front of that many people. I was young, I didn’t really truly understand football. But after that experience and taking it into this year, I’m definitely more confident in my game and what I understand. Everything’s starting to click.”
In 12 career outings, Beck has attempted 58 passes, completing 36 of them (62.1%) for 486 yards and six touchdowns. That includes seven appearances this past season, accounting for 310 of the yards, four of the touchdowns and neither of his two career interceptions on 26-of-35 passing (74.3%).
Sure, it’s far from decided that Beck will be the Bulldog quarterback that takes the first snap against UT Martin on September 2nd when Georgia kicks off the 2023 season officially. Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton are going to have something to say about that. However, having served as the backup this season, he’s expected to get the first look in the quarterback battle. He’s also going to be the oldest guy in the room and knows the responsibilities that come with that.
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“I will be an older guy which is kind of crazy to think about. It’s all gone by really fast,” Beck said as he looked ahead to the offseason. “Developing relationships with my teammates, which I already have a lot of, and continuing to grow. Obviously we’ll have a bunch of young guys and new guys coming in so developing those relationships and trying to be a guy that they can come to.”
“We all have a great relationship with each other,” he added, speaking on the sense of competition between him and the other quarterbacks in the room. “I think every day when we go out to practice it’s a lot of fun, and I think that’s super important to never lose that fun aspect of it. We all push each other and compete. It’ll be a great season.”
As for where he can keep getting better, Beck believes it’s between the ears that is the area he both has developed most during his time in Athens and can continue to do so, especially this offseason.
“I think the mental side of the game. That’s the part of the game that’s developed most since I’ve gotten here, and it’s also the part where I’ll continue to grow. As much as I may think I know there’s always little tidbits to learn. I’m super comfortable, and Monken does a great job of teaching us, developing us within the offense. Where our read is, what we’re supposed to do with the ball. Like I said, it’s going to continue to develop, and I think my comfortability will help me progress even more as the years go on.”
