Carson Beck headlines 2025 draft class of quarterbacks per ESPN expert
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is among the nation’s top signal callers entering the 2024 season, and as a result, one of the top draft prospects entering the 2025 cycle. ESPN’s Jordan Reid took a look at 19 quarterbacks expected to be in the draft class for 2025 – naming 35 in total – and had Beck first on his list.
“Beck threw for 3,941 yards, 24 touchdown passes and six interceptions last season, his first as a starter. His 86 QBR ranked fifth in the country. A rhythm passer, he has a veteran-level understanding of how to process and attack coverages,” Reid wrote. “The Georgia offense centers around his decisiveness and he wastes little time getting the ball out. His average of 2.38 seconds before the throw tied for the nation’s quickest release in 2023.”
“Beck also trusts what he sees and remains calm even when smothered in the pocket,” he continued. “He has played from under center and out of the shotgun, too, giving him good experience for what he’d be asked to do at the next level.”
Of course with any evaluation, there’s the weighing of pros and cons. Not everything is perfect for the Jacksonville, Fla. native and second-year starter. Reid noted that Beck’s mobility is adequate but won’t ever be his biggest strength.
“Beck isn’t the kind of QB who will consistently make plays outside the framework of the offense,” Reid said. “He has enough mobility to get himself out of harm’s way in the pocket, but creating extra opportunities will always be a challenge. And while Beck has a good arm, inconsistent footwork and finishes on throws have led to erratic ball placement in short-to-intermediate areas; some of his passes lose velocity as they arrive at the target. He has been a beneficiary of quick-throw offense, averaging 8.0 air yards per attempt (78th in the FBS). Now entering his second season as a starter, Beck might have more opportunities to execute deeper concepts.”
Others on Reid’s top names to know included Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, Miami transfer portal pickup Cam Ward, Alabama SEC Championship winner Jalen Milroe and Notre Dame addition Riley Leonard. Georgia will play three of those six in the regular season, not only providing quite the test for the Bulldogs but also allowing Beck more than his fair share of opportunities to shine in the national spotlight.
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Beck enters 2024 as the favorite to take home the Heisman Trophy. He’s looking to become the first player from Georgia to do so since Herschel Walker in 1982. Stetson Bennett was the Bulldogs’ last finalist in 2022 – his second season as a full-time starter. Like Bennett, Beck is hoping to take a leap forward with that full offseason of work knowing it’s his team.
“I think a lot of chemistry was built, but where the chemistry really gets going is over the summer when we’re in here working out without the coaches,” Beck said after Georgia’s spring game. “What can we do when coaches aren’t there, are we going to come in on the weekend and get reps? Are we going to get reps? Are we going to watch film? Are they going to understand what I want them to do and vice versa? I think that chemistry will continue to build.”
“There’s a lot of guys that are hungry,” he added. “There’s a lot of guys that maybe haven’t gotten to their full potential yet, haven’t gotten to where they want to reach. There’s a lot of guys that want to work, want to be physical. That’s our brand of ball at Georgia … Super, super excited to start getting to work with these guys this summer.”
Beck and the Bulldogs are expected to be the preseason top-ranked team entering the fall. They open the 2024 season in Atlanta against ACC favorite Clemson on August 31st (12:00 p.m. ET, ABC).
