“Looking back at it, I don’t regret it,” he revealed on a dialogue with Jon Gruden. “Just because of the experiences I’ve been able to have. But again, at that point, I didn’t know what was the right decision.”

He also added: “I thought there was more in the tank. Again, a huge part of it was I wanted to win a national championship. I know that I had two as a backup but I wanted to win one as the quarterback.”

After a great year in Miami, he finally decided to take the most important step in his career. What will ultimately be the destination of the former Georgia Bulldogs player in the NFL?

Beck’s latest numbers in the NCAAF

After transferring to Miami for the 2025 season, Carson Beck led the Hurricanes to a historic 13-3 record and a spot in the National Championship game. He finished the year as one of the most efficient passers in the nation, posting an FBS second-best 72.4% completion percentage while throwing for over 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns.

Despite his stellar individual performance, Beck’s postseason run ended in heartbreak at Hard Rock Stadium, where he fell 27-21 in the final to Fernando Mendoza and the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers.

NFL Draft projection

Following his strong recovery season at Miami, Carson Beck has solidified his status as a high-floor developmental prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft. While he was once considered a potential first-overall pick, most analysts now project him as a Day 2 selection, likely falling between the second and third rounds.

“I have no social media on my phone, so I’m kind of just in my own little bubble. I think it’s better that way to be completely honest, but it’s impossible not to see… obviously, I see it, and it is what it is. People have their opinions, and all I can do is continue to do what I do,” he said, per SiriusXM NFL Radio on X.

The former Georgia Bulldogs player, who most recently played for the Miami Hurricanes and reached the National Championship Game, is aiming to take the next big step in his career. Could he finally be drafted by an NFL team?

Beck’s stellar season at Miami

In his lone season with the Hurricanes, Carson Beck revitalized the program by leading them to a remarkable 13-3 record. Throughout the 2025 season, Beck was a model of efficiency, setting a school record with a 72.4% completion rate while throwing for 3,813 yards and a career-high 30 touchdowns.

In the highly anticipated CFP National Championship against Indiana, Beck showed immense poise under pressure, completing 19 of 32 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown. Although the Hurricanes narrowly fell 27-21, Beck’s leadership and precision throughout the year cemented his legacy as one of the most impactful transfers in Miami history.

Criticism surrounding Beck

Carson Beck faces several criticisms as he enters the 2026 NFL Draft process. Scouts have pointed out his limited athletic upside and a tendency to struggle when the pocket collapses, often seeing his mechanics falter under heavy interior pressure. Additionally, while his overall accuracy is high, analysts and pundits have critiqued his lack of elite arm strength on deep balls following his 2024 elbow surgery.

Other quarterbacks to watch in the upcoming Draft

The quarterback class for the 2026 NFL Draft is led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza (Indiana), the consensus top pick after his national title run. He is followed by Alabama’s Ty Simpson, a polished pocket navigator, and Penn State’s Drew Allar, who boasts the highest physical ceiling despite injury concerns.

Rounding out the top tier are the aforementioned Beck and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU), a gritty passer known for his aggressive downfield shots.

There are a couple of plays Miami can look back on and blame for the 27–21 loss to Indiana in the biggest game of the 2025 college football season. There is no use crying over spilled milk, though, and Cristobal reminded Beck and company of that with his postgame comments. Still, he couldn’t help but feel like the night could’ve ended differently.

“Like to have that last one back,” Cristobal admitted about Beck’s game-sealing interception during his postgame media availability.

“But again, a lot of the plays made throughout the course of the year from the guys up here on stage to the guys in that locker room got us here to this moment and gave us an opportunity all the way to the end. So, proud of him.”

CJ Daniels sends message to Beck

It’s been a roller coaster of a year for Beck. From suffering a UCL injury that had many questioning whether he’d ever be able to throw a football as accurately again, to leading a storied college football program all the way to the national title game. Obviously, the ending is what fans across the nation will remember, but the journey deserves as much recognition.

On that note, wide receiver CJ Daniels voiced a heartfelt comment about his quarterback. “The whole world wrote him off,’’ Daniels admitted. “He got us here.” Beck didn’t quite get to complete his redemption arc, but he put the NCAA on notice, and he now has a chance to make the NFL after showcasing his leadership and skillset in college football’s biggest stage.

With zeros on the clock, crimson confetti raining down at Hard Rock Stadium, and the visiting team—despite having more fans in attendance—celebrating in Miami Gardens, Beck walked off the field, as the walls closed in on his college football career. Even for an experienced quarterback like Beck—who many wonder how he is still playing college football— it was a lot to process in the flesh. Now, the graduate transfer has broken his silence with a sincere statement.

“It really hurts,’’ Beck admitted after the game, via The Miami Herald. “It’s hard the way it ended. It’s really tough — especially to battle the way we did in the second half after not coming out too strong in the first half.

“But for a group that faced adversity early on and battled our way back to even have a chance to win the game at the end says a lot about this team. Just super proud of these guys and super thankful for them.”

Beck thanks the ‘U’

Though it didn’t end the way Beck and the University of Miami hoped, there’s plenty for the school in Coral Gables to be proud of. For the seasoned college football quarterback, the Hurricanes allowed him to reconnect with himself and the sport after going through a tough final semester with the Georgia Bulldogs.

“For me, my entire life changed. I was in a really dark place and trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel was a difficult thing,” Beck admitted on his personal journey. “Just a lot going on mentally, physically and emotionally.

“To be able to fight through the roller coaster that life is, I really couldn’t have done it without all these people around me. This university truly saved me and helped me rebuild into the man I am today. It hurts really bad, but it was a hell of a season.”

Thanks to Beck, the ‘U’ is back

At the end of the day, Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers got their movie-like ending to the 2026 NCAA campaign. Meanwhile, Beck and the Hurricanes must deal with the sorrow of coming just short of the finish line. However, there is nothing left for Miami to prove.

The Canes shocked the nation when many didn’t believe they even deserved to make the postseason. Instead, Miami tuned out the noise, went to work, and engaged in a showdown for the ages against Indiana, one of the best-built rosters in recent college football history.

There is plenty to like about the Hurricanes going forward, with Malachi Toney set to become one of the biggest names in the sport. While Beck will not be around Coral Gables to see it or be a part of it, his impact won’t be taken for granted. After getting so close yet so far, Miami will only feed off this feeling—and make no mistake: The U will be back in full gear when fall comes around in 2026.

Mendoza and the Hoosiers faced their biggest competition of the year against the Hurricanes in the National Championship Game. Nobody said it would be easy, and Indiana wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. At the end of the day, the Hoosiers are the best program in the NCAA, and Mendoza could only reminisce about the journey he went through to get here.

“Shoutout to Miami defense. It was going to be a physical game, we had to play physical, and we did. We elevated it. This victory is so sweet for everybody, for the entire Hoosiers nation, but it’s also super sweet for myself,” Mendoza said after the game. “I was a two-star coming out of high school, I got declined a walk-on offer to the University of Miami. Full circle moment here, playing in Miami.”

Mendoza’s stats

In the biggest game of the year, Mendoza didn’t put up the outstanding numbers he had previously yielded in the Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl against Alabama and Oregon, respectively.

Still, Mendoza did everything Curt Cignetti and his team asked—and more. As the game to a close, Mendoza finished the night 16/27 for 186 passing yards, and a rushing touchdown on a fourth-down play that proved the difference.

As a result, Mendoza put the cherry on top on a college football season for the ages. The California transfer is now on track to join a select group of players to be Heisman trophy winners, national champions, and become the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft.

Perfect ending for Mendoza and Indiana

They say reality often outperforms fiction, and Indiana is a testament to that. Who would’ve guessed the Cinderella story in Bloomington would lead to a national title in less than two years? An overlooked kid out of Miami, FL took the school that once registered the most losses in college football history and placed it at the top of the hill.

As if it wasn’t a perfect enough ending, Mendoza did it in front of his family and friends, alongside his younger brother, in the city that saw him grow—and against the school that once shut the door in his face. Now, Mendoza and the Hoosiers are hoisting the most coveted trophy in the Hurricanes’ backyard.

For the first time in over 20 years, Miami is playing for a national championship in college football. It’s safe to say that under Mario Cristobal, the ‘U’ is back. Or better yet, the ‘U is Beck’, as the hope in Coral Gables lies in the hands of their experienced signal caller.

In his first — and last — year in Miami, Beck has had a season for the ages. Now, fans believe Beck can take the program back to college football’s promised land. However, if anything were to happen to Beck, Cristobal and company are confident the team can rally behind its backup.

Emory Williams is listed as the second-string quarterback for the Hurricanes. A redshirt sophomore, Williams was a three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. Completing the depth chart will be true freshman Luke Nickel, a four-star talent out of Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia. Nickel has a lone pass attempt in the 2025 NCAA season, and it was on an incompletion.

A look at Williams’ journey

Throughout his time in Coral Gables, Williams played the most in the 2023 NCAA season, though he served as a backup to Tyler Van Dyke. Since, Miami has enrolled star transfer quarterbacks in back-to-back years, causing Williams’ appearances to be even more sporadic.

However, anything can happen in college football, and the backup may have to jump into the action. At Hard Rock Stadium—where Tua Tagovailoa was once dubbed a franchise QB—Williams may be called upon to repeat Tagovailoa’s National Championship heroics, when he entered as a backup to lead the Alabama Crimson Tide to a championship in 2018.

Beck vs. Mendoza

Still, barring a disaster or an injury crisis, Beck will not leave the field at Hard Rock Stadium during the National Championship Game. Neither will Indiana send in Fernando Mendoza’s backup quarterback on the Hoosiers depth chart, unless it’s the only option left for the school in Bloomington.

It’s Beck vs. Mendoza, Cignetti against Cristobal, and the ‘U’ up against the ‘IU’. This one is for all the marbles, as Miami and Indiana square off for college football’s ultimate trophy—along with significant prize money for the winner.

Beck’s student-athlete status made waves all over the nation after the 23-year-old quarterback admitted he hasn’t been taking classes in Miami as of late. Beck graduated from his undergraduate degree in August 2024. Back then, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart took to his social media to congratulate Beck for his academic accomplishment.

Therefore, when Beck transferred from Georgia to Miami, the quarterback did so as a graduate transfer in the NCAA. Arriving at the school in Coral Gables, Beck enrolled at other degrees in Miami, though he issued a very honest confession about them. “These programs take a little longer than just a year to finish. Obviously, I’m not enrolling again next semester. I’ll be done after this season,” Beck told reporters ahead of the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Did Carson Beck stop taking classes?

The answer to that question is very simple: no. Beck has still attended classes during his stay in the University of Miami. According to reporter Tim Reynolds, Beck has not only attended classes last semester, but he has done great in them, too.

“Carson Beck got three A’s at Miami last semester. Yes, he took classes. Miami classes resumed last week. Guys who are leaving college – graduating, going to the NFL, whatever – didn’t have to enroll this spring just because the CFP final is in the spring semester,” Reynolds stated on his X account

Beck’s journey

Beck enrolled at the University of Georgia ahead of the 2020 NCAA season. Since then, the four-star recruit out of Jacksonville, Florida has been through the wringer. Despite being part of the Bulldogs’ national championship teams in 2021 and 2022, as well as a strong 2023 campaign, Beck struggled to cement himself as the starting quarterback in Athens in 2024.

Suffering a season-ending UCL injury to his right elbow during the postseason ultimately spelled the end of Beck’s time at Georgia. He initially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft but later chose to use his final year of eligibility by entering the college football transfer portal. Recently, Beck revealed a key reason why he joined the Hurricanes, a move that paid dividends as it has clearly revitalized his career.

That decision led Beck to cross paths with Miami—and ever since, The Magic City has watched “The U” rise back toward the top. Whether Beck has attended classes or not is the least of Miami’s concerns, though the situation has sparked significant debate across the college football landscape.

Both quarterbacks may have been the primary reasons their teams reached this stage, leading many to begin wondering whether the future of both Mendoza and Beck could lie in the NFL once this season comes to an end.

While there has been no official confirmation regarding this situation—understanding that the focus is squarely on what may happen in today’s final—it is expected that both Fernando Mendoza and Carson Beck will declare themselves eligible for the upcoming NFL Draft.

There is plenty of talk surrounding projections, and the Hoosiers’ leader and reigning Heisman Trophy winner is expected to be a high draft pick, even with the chance of being selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick. Beck’s fate, for now, remains to be seen.

The Heisman Trophy is well deserved

Fernando Mendoza solidified his place in college football history by becoming the first Indiana Hoosier to win the Heisman Trophy, delivering a season for the ages in 2025.

Leading Indiana to a perfect 15-0 record and a No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, Mendoza showcased elite precision and playmaking ability. He finished the campaign with 3,349 passing yards, an incredible 41 touchdowns against only 6 interceptions, and a dominant 90.2 Total QBR.

Beck emerging as a big name

Carson Beck has once again placed himself firmly in the first-round conversation for the 2026 NFL Draft after a resurgent senior season at Miami. Commanding the Hurricanes‘ offense with veteran poise, Beck displayed the elite accuracy and processing power that scouts have long admired.

He capped off the campaign with 3,581 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, all while maintaining an efficient 81.4 Total QBR. Having led Miami to the national title game, his ability to perform on the biggest stages has solidified his status as one of the premier pocket passers in this class.

In this scenario, it’s not far-fetched to think that this game could potentially end in a tie, and the likelihood of overtime is real. Both Fernando Mendoza and Carson Beck will do everything possible to reach this stage, but what happens if it does?

On Bolavip, we break down how the National Championship Game would be decided in the potential scenario that neither of these two programs can separate themselves on the scoreboard over the four quarters of regulation.

What happens if Miami and Indiana tie today?

The overtime procedure for the National Championship Game begins at midfield with a coin toss involving up to four captains per team, where the winner chooses either the side of the ball or the end of the field.

Each overtime period consists of a two-possession series, with each team getting one possession on offense and defense. Strategically, each team is granted one timeout per period—noting that regulation timeouts do not carry over.

Under the 2021 NCAA rules, the pressure intensifies quickly: teams are required to attempt a 2-point conversion after touchdowns starting in the second overtime. If a third overtime is reached, the traditional drives are replaced entirely by alternating 2-point plays until a winner is decided.

When and where is the National Championship Game being played?

The CFP National Championship is being played today, Monday, January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET, featuring a historic matchup between the No. 1 seed Indiana Hoosiers and the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes.

Given the stakes and the unique hometown atmosphere, many fans are attending the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship to witness whether Indiana can complete a perfect season or if Miami will claim the title on its own home turf.

[Watch Indiana vs Miami online in the US on Fubo]

Indiana’s path to Hard Rock Stadium has been emphatic, as the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers rolled past elite opponents to reach a national title stage. Curt Cignetti’s team stunned No. 9 Alabama 38–3 in the Rose Bowl and followed with a 56–22 blowout of No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl, stamping itself as college football’s most complete group.

Now waiting is No. 10 Miami Hurricanes, the final at-large entry, which has earned a home-field shot after taking down Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss, even while listed as an 8.5-point underdog. With history, momentum and bragging rights on the line, this is one matchup fans should make sure they don’t miss.

When will the Indiana vs Miami match be played?

Indiana play against Miami in the CFP National Championship this Monday, January 19, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM (ET).

Indiana vs Miami: Time by State in the USA

ET: 7:30 PM
CT: 6:30 PM
MT: 5:30 PM
PT: 4:30 PM

How to watch Indiana vs Miami in the USA

Don’t miss the 2026 college football showdown between Indiana and Miami streaming live on Fubo. You can also catch the action on ESPN.

As Indiana and Miami prepare to decide the season on the field, attention also drifts toward what fills the stadium beyond the game itself. Music, tradition and curated performances shape the rhythm of championship night.

The entertainment plan reflects a balance between NAAF heritage and Miami’s cultural pulse. Who takes part, and how those moments unfold, adds another layer to an evening built to feel larger than the final score.

Who is performing during the National Championship Game?

Inside Hard Rock Stadium, the 2026 CFP National Championship will spotlight performances rooted in tradition and inclusion. Before kickoff, American Idol winner Jamal Roberts will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Moreover, Brianna Therve, a 17-year-old junior from Barbara Goleman High School, will perform “America the Beautiful” in American Sign Language, with Maria Pernalete, an 18-year-old senior at Miami Palmetto Senior High School, singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in ASL. Both students are part of Miami-Dade County Public Schools and receive support through the district’s Department of Exceptional Student Education.

Musically, the heart of the in-stadium entertainment remains with college football tradition. The marching bands of each participating team will perform on the field during pregame and halftime, anchoring the championship experience in the pageantry that has long defined the sport’s biggest moments.

Guiding the flow of the night will be ESPN sideline reporter Stormy Buonantony, returning as the in-stadium emcee. She will be joined by DJ Mal-Ski, whose high-energy presence returns with a new dimension: a live collaboration with eight Latin percussionists from Hussein & The Fire Drummers.

Pregame shows and Pitbull’s role in the event

Entertainment surrounding the national championship extends well beyond the stadium. On Monday, January 19, a full day of festivities will take place outside Hard Rock Stadium from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

The pregame celebration also includes a musical moment from Latina country rising star Kat Luna, who is set to perform as part of the daytime fan experience, adding another layer to the championship’s diverse entertainment slate.

Meanwhile, Pitbull’s involvement with the College Football Playoff centers on community impact rather than a live performance during the game. Partnering with the CFP Foundation and his SLAM Foundation, he will participate in initiatives supporting educators across Miami.