It’s official. In a twist that shook the college football scene, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has done a remarkable about-face. Just days after declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, Beck has opted to return to college. But not just any college—he’s headed to the Miami Hurricanes. This move positions him as the successor to Cam Ward and promises to bridge Miami’s quarterback lineage to the future. Beck’s decision isn’t just about the game; it’s about the dollars. After a stellar junior year, his draft stock dipped this season, making college a more lucrative bet than landing in the mid-to-late rounds of the NFL Draft.
In today’s world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, Beck’s pivot to Miami is a financial windfall. According to reports, his compensation for playing one more college season will eclipse the earnings of some current NFL quarterbacks. Beck isn’t merely the top-ranked quarterback transfer; he symbolizes the escalating value star quarterbacks command in collegiate football’s evolving landscape. Just as Cam Ward did before him, Beck aims to cash in big during his single season in Coral Gables.
Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson dropped a bombshell on social media: Carson Beck will pocket a whopping $4 million in his final collegiate season with the Hurricanes. To put that into perspective, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis pulled in $950,000 as a base salary this year after being drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Even in a competitive transfer portal market, Beck’s deal sets him shoulder-to-shoulder with other top transfers. Duke’s Darien Mensah, coming in from Tulane, will earn the same—$4 million annually over the next two seasons. However, with the endorsement deals Beck is likely to ink, as he did during his time at Georgia, his earnings will potentially soar past those of Mensah.
Before he suits up, Beck will need to overcome a UCL injury. If he’s fully recovered in time, fans can catch his debut for the Miami Hurricanes on August 30th at Hard Rock Stadium. That matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish could be a stunner, especially with Notre Dame potentially defending a national championship title. Beck’s return to the gridiron is one of the most anticipated events in college football, and it’s bound to draw national attention as expectations build.
