Mario Cristobal sets expectations for Carson Beck as he follows in Cam Ward's footsteps at Miami

Mario Cristobal set clear expectations for new Miami quarterback Carson Beck as he replaces No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. Both QBs transferred in for one year, for what it’s worth, but Cristobal isn’t hoping Beck replicates Ward.

To be clear, he wants the best version of Beck in 2025 and not try to be what Ward was last season. Beck had his moments when he played for Georgia, but leaving last season with an injury and early playoff exit certainly leaves something to be desired.

A fresh restart in Miami might just be what the doctor ordered before going to the NFL. Despite missing spring practice due to injury recovery, Beck inspired plenty of confidence in Cristobal.

“Well, we’re thrilled to have had Cam and we’re thrilled to have Carson here now,” Cristobal said Tuesday at ACC Media Days. “And you know, we never look for the next, like when we had Justin Herbert out west, we didn’t look for the next Justin Herbert. We looked for the first Cam Ward. And this, we’re looking for the first and best version of Carson Beck. So Carson Beck has as good of experience as a quarterback as you can have. He’s played in monster games, and he’s played at a high level, and he is ultra competitive, and his football IQ is off the charts. It didn’t take long to realize that he’s a team player and that his work ethic is also through the roof. 

“So even though he missed spring practice, his participation was in a limited manner, but soon after, he has been cleared, and he’s been participating and doing everything with our team for several weeks, and that’s a lot of opportunities nowadays in college football, you know, guys run their own practices and whatnot. And they get, you know, almost like an entire, you know, spring session on their own off to the side. But what we see is, like I mentioned, a high level, elite competitor that has played at a high level that is, and this, I think, is the best part, that is hungry and driven, not just to establish himself as one of the premier players in the country … (his) interest is to make Miami better, to go win.”

Over the course of his career, Beck has 7,912 yards, 58 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 68% completion percentage. He played relatively well last season, including a career high 28 touchdowns. 

However, Beck threw 12 picks, doubling his 2023 total. If he’s able to lock in, cut down on the turnovers and be on the same page as the Miami staff, it could be a banner year.

“And I think when you combine those things, and you combine an offensive line that really prides itself on working hard and protecting and running the ball well, and a lot of pieces around it, and an improved defense, I just think this is the right place,” Cristobal said. “This is the right time and these are the right people, and I think his relationship with Shannon Dawson, and the rest of the offensive staff, particularly the offensive line coach, Coach Mirabal, it’s a tremendous partnership. And so we’re looking forward to getting on the field and making it work.”