Mario Cristobal backed QB Carson Beck in the best way possible ahead of Week 2

Mario Crstobal was a guest on the Pat McAfee Show this week and the Hurricanes coach was quickly asked about bringing Carson Beck into the program and how he's fitting in.

Cristobal couldn't stop raving about his senior quarterback, a transfer from Georgia. In last Sunday's win over Notre Dame, Beck looked comfortable in Miami's offense and consistently found the open man in the passing game. He also has the mobility to extend plays and give the playnakers a chance, like he did on the touchdown throw to CJ Daniels.

"He had all the tools and when he had good protection [at Georgia], he lit it up really well. Last year they got beat up a little. It wasn't maybe the same system," Cristobal said. "The guy is, he's a great human being. Like he's a legitimate dude. People love being around him. He's gets after it, a relentless worker. He just fits."

Beck had a tough act to follow at Miami. Last year, Cam Ward was a Heisman Finalist and became the first-overall pick in the NFL Draft. Beck might not be expected to post the type of numbers Ward did, but he is expected to lift the Hurricanes into the playoffs and compete for an ACC title. 

Finding the right kind of people

The conversation shifted to Cristobal's reputation as one of the best recruiters in the country. He talked about the talent that he played with during his tenure at Miami under Dennis Erickson from 1989-1992. Those 'Canes won national championships in 1989 and 1991. 

Cristobal played with such legends as defensive tackle Russell Maryland (the No. 1 overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft), defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, who was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and linebacker Jessie Armstead. 

"I played here on some badass teams,"  Cristobal said. "I was a nobody, but the guys I played with, they were legitimate real deal dudes. Hall of Famers. Gold jacket type guys. And I learned quickly that I liked playing around those guys,"

Cristobal wants his Hurricane teams to emulate those great teams of the past. He said it starts with finding the guys that are willing to lay it all on the line.

"I've always been a big believer in the right kind of people and in football the right kind of people are legitimate, elite competitors," Cristobal said.