The areas that well-regarded new UM QB Beck must address. And analysts, coaches weigh in

A six-pack of notes on former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck after the Hurricanes landed the top quarterback in the transfer portal on Friday:

▪ Let’s be clear: The Canes are getting a top-flight quarterback with a very good body of work against top competition (58 touchdowns, 20 picks; 24-3 record). His surgically repaired right elbow injury is expected to be fully healed sometime this spring.

Don’t overlook that his receivers dropped 30 passes this season, and not all of the 12 interceptions (tied for the most in FBS this season) were his fault.

But there are three areas, specifically, where he needs to improve after seeing his completion percentage drop from 72.4 in 2023 to 64.7 in 2024:

1). Intermediate throws. This past season, he completed just 57.9 percent of his passes from 10 to 19 yards (62 for 107), with six touchdowns and eight interceptions, per Pro Football Focus. That computes to a mediocre 81.4 passer rating.

His accuracy sometimes becomes erratic when forced to throw on the run.

2). His performance when facing a heavy pass rush.

This season, he had a dismal 51.7 passer rating when under pressure: 27 for 70 (38.6 percent) with five touchdowns and five interceptions.

Conversely, he had a 106.2 rating, with 23 TDs and 7 interceptions, when kept clean.

3). His completion percentage on deep throws.

The good news is that he threw 11 TDs (tied for ninth most) and one interception on passes thrown at least 20 air yards.

But he completed just 37 percent of those passes, which ranked 61st among those who attempted at least 20.

His 37 percent on deep throws (27 for 73) was behind Cam Ward’s 45.3 percent (34 for 75) and 60 other QBs. Ward, incidentally, had 14 TD passes and no interceptions on those types of throws.

▪ Former Heisman Trophy winner and broadcaster Tim Tebow, speaking on Paul Finebaum’s ESPN show this week, said of Beck:

“He’s someone that I think is a lot better than the credit he gets from people. Also remember, and I hate speaking negative about their team, but they had the most drops in college football by far.

“It’s really tough, and to fight through that, to fight through receivers not making the plays that you hope they would make. Losing Brock Bowers, losing Ladd McConkey, some really good players left. Just look at the NFL right now and how much they’re dominating. So I think that played into it.”

Tebow added: “I think one of the things that you have to look back and say that he did extremely well was his fight. Look at the fight to get them back in the game against Georgia Tech. Look at the fight when they were down against Tennessee. Look at the fight when they were down against Florida.”

▪ Several draft analysts said it was a mistake for Beck to turn pro before he reversed course this week.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. did not project him as a first rounder.

ESPN’s Field Yates said: “He’s had some good games this year; but there’s a lot for Carson Beck to prove.”

Former ESPN analyst Todd McShay, via USA Today, said: “I thought he got better late in the season, but I don’t think he’s there yet. Played great in certain moments. I thought he played better late in the season, but he never, this year, played to the level that we, many of us, expected him to play to.”

▪ Before the season, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Beck reminded him of Eli Manning coming out of Mississippi.

More from Jeremiah’s preseason report:

“Beck has prototypical size and arm strength. He has a quick/compact release and he operates with a very firm/strong base. He can power the ball into tight windows. I saw him consistently utilize anticipation, velocity and ball placement to fit the ball between a triangle of defenders. He flashes the athleticism to pick up free yards when they are presented, but he prefers to read through his progression and work from the pocket.

“The biggest issue for Beck is his accuracy when he’s moved off his spot. He has good pocket feel/presence but his accuracy does suffer when he has to move/reset and deliver the ball.

“The other issue is his passes can get a little flat at times on layer throws. The problem is a flat throw on those types of passes can allow underneath defenders to tip the ball, which could lead to turnovers. I believe both areas can be addressed and improved.”

▪ Georgia coach Kirby Smart said during the season that Beck “hasn’t played perfect but nobody does. In terms of his leadership, practice habits, things we’re asking him to do, he’s doing a good job of that.”

Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said of Beck: “He has a great trait that he has such an even temperament. Whether we score a touchdown or we go three and out or he happens to throw a pick or something, his temperament doesn’t change. That allows him to stay calm in the moment.”

▪ Beck told reporters this season that watching football when he’s not playing causes him stress because he cannot stop thinking about what he would do in a particular situation.

“I don’t enjoy watching football, I know that sounds kind of crazy,” Beck said. “It’s not fun for me. ... So if I watch that game [Texas vs. Texas A&M], I’m not going to be able to sit there and enjoy it; I’m going to stress myself out the whole entire time. ... It’s stressful for me because I don’t ever give myself a break when it comes to football.”