‘Excited as I can be’: What to know about Georgia’s new four-star QB Carson Beck

What if the widely-known No. 11 who has appeared as Georgia’s quarterback since his first game packs up his locker for the NFL? What would the quarterback room look like without Jake Fromm?

Like a fairly-bare cupboard.

Those stepping up to the front row would be Stetson Bennett, a former walk-on and JUCO transfer, and D’Wan Mathis. Granted, Mathis signed as a four-star prospect a year ago when flipping from Ohio State, but had to be limited throughout the season after significant brain surgery over the summer.

But the Bulldogs like the quarterback they’ve unofficially had in the fold for a while. Head coach Kirby Smart can now praise his new add.

Meet Carson Beck, down in Florida Gator territory in Jacksonville. He’s a four-star quarterback, and many describe him as one with a classic pocket-passer style. He hails from Mandarin High School, and led his program to its first-ever state championship in 2018. Beck committed to Georgia on March 3 as the Bulldogs won battles over SEC foes Alabama and Florida.

Smart has had interest in his newest quarterback addition since he was a ninth grader. Beck has attended camps in Athens since his freshman year, and Georgia saw improvements each time he would return. Beck backed it up with a 20-touchdown senior campaign and participating in the Elite 11 Finals showcase event.

“Excited as I can be,” Smart said. “I can’t say enough about Carson and his family. There’s a competitive nature inside of him.”

Georgia could’ve had a second quarterback added to the class in California native C.J. Stroud — would’ve been the third California add of the class, joining running back Kendall Milton and wide receiver Jermaine Burton. Stroud, ranked the No. 2 pocket passer nationally, signed with Ohio State despite a late push by the Bulldogs and quarterbacks’ coach James Coley.

Georgia awaits the decision as to whether Fromm will depart early or not, and the protocol remains the same, Smart said. Georgia will speak with Fromm, different franchises, general managers and other organizations to project where a draft selection might occur. After the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1, a decision will come. Two offensive linemen, Andrew Thomas and Isaiah Wilson, declared for the draft on Tuesday and will not play vs. Baylor.

Fromm’s decision, however, could influence the Bulldogs’ pursuit at the quarterback position for the regular signing period beginning on Feb. 5, 2020.

“At that second signing, quarterback is not out of question,” Smart said. “But it’s not necessarily something we have to do.”

There will be no waiting game for Beck, however. He will arrive on campus prior to Georgia’s departure for the Sugar Bowl on Dec. 27. The Bulldogs have seen progressions with signees joining the team for bowl practices — Jermaine Johnson, Clay Webb and others did so last season.

All of a sudden, Georgia’s quarterback cupboard has options in it again.

“You want to make your roster the best it can be,” Smart said. “That’s our job as coaches.”