Kirby Smart will be riding with redshirt junior quarterback Gunner Stockton in hopes of a successful 2025 NCAA season with the Georgia Bulldogs. As the 22-year-old is set to take over the starting job, he voiced a bold three-word statement, with a dig at Carson Beck, who transferred to the Miami Hurricanes.
The Dawgs found their quarterback for the 2025 campaign in improbable fashion. After Beck sustained an UCL injury during the SEC Championship Game against the Texas Longhorns, the redshirt freshman was called upon to lead the squad. He played well enough for the Dawgs to prevail in overtime by a score of 22-19.
Stockton played his first career start during the College Football Playoffs, as the Dawgs fell to Notre Dame during the Quarterfinals. However, Smart and the Dawgs will give the nod to the young quarterback ahead of the new campaign.
Drama filled the locker room during the offseason after Beck underwent surgery on his right elbow. Initially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, the signal-caller abruptly reversed his decision and entered the NCAA transfer portal. In a matter of hours, Beck went from being an NFL prospect to the new Miami Hurricanes’ QB1.
Gunner Stockton #14 and Carson Beck #15 of the Georgia Bulldogs react prior to a game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
The news caught Stockton, Smart, and the Dawgs off guard. After spending the offseason preparing to take over as Georgia’s starting quarterback, Stockton voiced a stern three-word message, taking a shot at Beck for not giving him a heads-up on his decision.
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NCAAF News: Cam Ward offers key advice to Carson Beck about taking his place in Miami
“He was busy,” Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton shrugged and stated, via Dawgs Central reporter Graham Coffey.
Piece of advice for Beck
As Carson Beck starts his journey with the Hurricanes, while dealing with the recovery from the surgery on his right UCL, the second-year senior is looking to increase his stock ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Obviously, having a strong year with the Canes would go a long way for Beck.
Ahead of his first, and only, college football season in Coral Gables, Beck received a strong message from Cam Ward, who was in a similar position last year, as he transferred from Washington State to Miami.
“I think the biggest thing that I would tell Carson is just be himself and try to win games,” Ward said during Miami’s Pro Day, as reported by Miami Herald. “At the end of the day, they can talk how bad they want about you, but if you win games, you’ve got the one-up on them.”
Carson Beck 15 of the Georgia Bulldogs in action vs the Texas Longhorns at DKR-Memorial Stadium.
Big shoes to fill
Beck’s arrival in South Florida comes on the heels of Ward’s sensational season, which earned the star QB a fourth-place finish in the Heisman voting. Needless to say, the bar has been set high for the Bulldogs transfer, and Ward made sure to remind Beck of it.
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“Don’t really look at the stat sheet and what I did this year, because at the end of the day, it wasn’t hard,” Ward added. “You’re talking about a quarterback playing in coach Dawson’s offense. You should at least throw 30 touchdowns a year.”
