Miami head coach Mario Cristobal praised the impact quarterback Carson Beck has had for the Hurricanes. Beck brought experience playing on two national championship teams at Georgia. Often criticized, Beck has shown leadership throughout his year with Miami.
Cristobal praised the leadership Beck has shown throughout his Miami tenure. Beck suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament that kept him out of spring practice with Miami and unable to throw until May. Beck led meetings and initiated gatherings with his teammates during the offseason when he could not throw.
Cristobal noted that Beck participated in walk-throughs with his teammates during spring practice. Beck worked with star Miami freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney, showing him film of himself playing at Georgia to illustrate how to run routes.
Beck immediately showed his leadership in a game by leading Miami to a game winning field goal drive in the last possession for the Hurricanes in a 27-24 win over Notre Dame in the opening contest of the 2025 season. That drive proved pivotal for Miami to earn a College Football Playoff berth.
"I'm a big believer in Carson Beck."
— ACC Network (@accnetwork) January 18, 2026
Mario Cristobal is very confident in his QB1 🙌 @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/juQMgJDlKe
"I'm a big believer in Carson Beck. Like him, our entire team on November 1, 2025, did not have very much positive energy surrounding them...Carson Beck epitomizes the ability to take an adverse situation and turn it not only into something positive, but something that helps one grow and become a stronger and better person of themselves. I think he's the most experienced player in the College Football Playoffs...since the day he arrived, he showed how savvy and experienced he is."Miami head coach Mario Cristobal
The November 1 date Cristobal mentioned was when Miami lost 26-20 in overtime at SMU. It was the second loss in three games for Miami and had many thinking the Hurricanes were eliminated from the CFB. Beck led Miami to four consecutive wins to finish the regular season and earn the last at-large CFP berth.
Riding their defense, Beck was a game manager as Miami won its first two CFP games. Beck completed 23 passes in 37 attempts for 268 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in a 31-27 win over Mississippi in the CFP quarterfinal.
Led by Beck, Miami had two fourth-quarter TD drives to earn the win over Mississippi. Beck showed his versatility and leadership on the final drive with a three-yard TD run with 11 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter for the game winner.
Beck will never completely silence his critics. Over the past two seasons, Beck has had stretches where he was prone to interceptions. The Miami run to the National Championship Game has shown that Beck is capable of being a team leader.