With his team awaiting a matchup with Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, and with Beck sidelined after undergoing a season-ending surgical procedure, the Georgia quarterback announced on social media Saturday that he’ll be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft.
In a lengthy post in which he thanked his teammates, coach Kirby Smart and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, among others, Beck described his time with the Bulldogs as “nothing short of a dream come true.”
“I will forever cherish the memories that have been made,” Beck wrote. “Thank you Dawg Nation for the time I’ve been here and to those who’ve supported and believed in me, thank you. It’s been an incredible journey and all these moments have ultimately led me to take the next step in my football career.”
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He added that he’ll be around to support Georgia “however I can.”
A redshirt senior, Beck guided the Bulldogs to a 10-2 regular season and a spot in the SEC championship game. Once there, and with his team tied at six with Texas just before halftime, Beck suffered an injury to his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) that required surgery and ended his season.
In his second season as a starter, Beck threw for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He finished the season third among all SEC quarterbacks in passing yards.
Once considered a top NFL prospect, Beck has seen his draft stock slip this season. A Nov. 13 mock draft from USA TODAY Sports did not include Beck in the first round. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, at No. 2 overall to the New York Giants, and Miami’s Cam Ward, at No. 5 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, were the only quarterbacks included among the top 32 picks.
With Beck out, Georgia will lean on sophomore Gunner Stockton at quarterback in Wednesday’s Sugar Bowl and for the remainder of the season. Stockton, a Tiger, Georgia native, completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards, no touchdowns and an interception after taking over for Beck in the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime victory against Texas in the SEC title game.