Quarterback Carson Beck’s college career may not be over yet.

The Georgia starter was one of the top-rated passers for the 2025 NFL Draft last season and an early favorite to go No. 1 overall. But after a season in which he threw nine interceptions in four games (and three more in a 41-34 loss at Alabama) and struggled mightily in other games, his draft stock plummeted.

To make matters worse, Beck was injured on the final play of the first half of Georgia’s 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 7. On December 23, Beck underwent season-ending surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Five days later, he announced that he was entering the NFL draft.

Then on Thursday, sources indicated that Beck wanted to enter the transfer portal instead. He immediately becomes the best quarterback available in the portal, although he isn’t expected to start throwing again until this spring. – Mark Schlabach

Where could he go?

There were plenty of rumors linking Beck to Miami in December, which he put to rest when he declared for the draft, and it’s fair to call the Hurricanes the frontrunners at the start of what should have been a rapid recruiting process.

Miami coach Mario Cristobal didn’t secure a transfer QB to replace Cam Ward this offseason and would bring in an unproven young backup in Emory Williams if he doesn’t add one. Ward was worth every penny with the remarkable season he put together in 2024 and the leadership he brought to the program. He has significantly increased his NFL Draft stock through his 2024 season and could end up going No. 1 overall.

If you’re Beck, that’s the goal, coming back for an additional season. Miami won’t have the same cast of playmakers in 2025, but they have a lot to sell as Beck’s ideal target and will undoubtedly make him a serious priority now that he hits the market. – Max Olson

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What’s next for Georgia?

Beck’s replacement, third-year student Gunner Stockton, played so well in the second half of the SEC championship game and in a 23-10 loss to Notre Dame in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game in the Allstate Sugar Bowl that he probably went into spring training as the favorite to be Beck’s replacement.

Stockton, one of the most productive quarterbacks in Georgia high school history, led the Bulldogs back from a 6-3 second-half deficit to beat Texas in Atlanta. In his first college start, he completed 20 of 32 passes for 234 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions against a very good Notre Dame defense.

Stockton should improve with a full offseason to prepare as a starter. He’ll have to stop freshman Ryan Puglisi, the No. 9 pocket passer in the class of 2024, according to ESPN. The Bulldogs signed two quarterbacks in their most recent recruiting class: Ryan Montgomery from Findlay, Ohio, and Hezekiah Millender from Athens, Georgia.

The Bulldogs may bring in another experienced quarterback from the portal. They were linked to former Alabama backup Dylan Lonergan and Cal starter Fernando Mendoza before signing with Boston College and Indiana, respectively. — Schlabach

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Has Beck fallen out of favor with NFL scouts?

After entering the season as a candidate for the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, Beck underperformed and finished with solid stats — 28 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and 3,485 yards — albeit with ups and downs performances. He played three games in the midseason, throwing a total of eight picks, which caused a stir among NFL scouts. I demoted him to the No. 5 quarterback in the Class of 2025 in my rankings.

In speaking with evaluators around the league, Beck’s draft grades were consistently mixed, as some thought he would go in Round 2 while others thought he could slip as far as Round 5. After his announcement that he had declared for the draft, he received an A. Scout said, “I was surprised.”

Given the right situation, Beck should have a chance to regain his 2023 form next season, when he threw just six interceptions. Drew Allar (Penn State) is the first headliner in the 2026 class, and Beck needs a big season to get back into the first-round discussion. – Jordan Reid

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What’s new on Beck’s injury?

On the day of Beck’s surgery, a statement from Georgia said the procedure was successful and he was expected to begin throwing again in the spring. Much more – about the severity of the injury or his recovery time – is not publicly known.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, UCL injuries are common among gymnasts, wrestlers, football players and baseball pitchers. The length of Beck’s recovery depended on whether he had partially or completely torn the ligament and where it was torn (proximal, distal, or central).

“For patients who have full-thickness tears and need to return to high-impact throwing activities, surgery may be considered,” the Mayo Clinic website states. “Surgery typically involves either repair (repairing your current ligament by stitching it and anchoring it to the bone) or reconstruction (replacing your injured ligament) of the UCL.”

Beck wouldn’t be the first quarterback to come back from UCL surgery. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy injured his right UCL while throwing an elbow in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 29, 2023. He underwent surgery to repair his UCL on March 10, 2023 and was pitching again less than three months later. He started the 49ers’ home opener on September 10, 2023.

The Mayo Clinic website states that athletes who sustain UCL injuries have a return to athletics rate of 95 to 100% for non-throwers and an 85 to 95% return rate for throwers. — Schlabach

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What are the rules for entering the portal after registering for the draft?

Beck announced his intention to enter the NFL Draft, but he has until February 7 to withdraw his name from the draft by sending an opt-out letter to the league office.

College football players whose team seasons had already ended had until January 6 to declare for the draft. Players from teams still competing in the CFP (Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State and Texas) have until January 27 to decide whether to leave their names in the draft. — Schlabach