Miami‘s quarterback room has never faced a transition this dramatic. Mario Cristobal’s squad flipped a doomed 7-6 to a remarkable 10-3 with their brightest guiding light under the center. 2024 marked the first-ever 10-win season for the Hurricanes since 2017, and second since 2004. And the credit largely belonged to one name, Cam Ward. It’s hard to let go of someone who was the heartbeat of Miami’s offense. The standout Washington transfer threw for an insane 4,313 yards, completed 39 touchdown passes, and threw just seven interceptions with a completion rate of 67.2%. Miami was the first in scoring offense, dominant in third-down offense, and the passing offense? They are just behind Syracuse and Ole Miss. Now, imagine stepping into a new season without the main architect of the offense. The pressure is immense on Cristobal. The only solace? Carson Beck, a $ 4 million gamble, still assures you late in the spring. Thanks to his deep parallels with the predecessor.
Remember the calm, straight smile Cam Ward had after being named as the No.1 pick by the Titans! Remember his subtle off-white dress on the hot red carpet while every other player on the card set the internet on fire with more vibrant, eye-popping colour. Though Beck didn’t headline at the NFL Draft like Ward, whose quite confidence made waves. But Beck’s similarities to the former Miami quarterback run deeper than personality.
“Cam is not Cam could care couldn’t care any less about an award, i mean a presentation I mean it’s obvious in the draft,” Cristobal said in an interview with CBS Sports’ Josh Pate. “He just wanted to hear his name, what time’s a plane leaving, when do I land in Tennessee and when do I get the playbook, you know. And along those lines, there’s a ton of similarity with him and Carson.” He then reflected on the duo’s similar football IQ, “Both of their knowledge of the game, the knowledge of the run game, their knowledge of the protections involved in every single concept that we have that has that has me as a former offensive line coach will be fired up.”
Beck has his own struggle saga to fight hard and walk out as a winner, and Cristobal can’t help admiring his indomitable spirit. When the world frowns at the Miami head coach for risking a massive money on such a quarterback who had thrown over 12 interceptions last season for the Dawgs. Cristobal sees the intangibles and refuses to be swayed by outside noise. He knows what he’s got. He sees a lot of untapped potential in Beck that a shattered Bulldogs offense couldn’t chisel out.
No matter how much you lambast the former Georgia signal caller, when you look at his breakout 2023 production, it strikes a chord. How could someone go from 3,941 to 3,485 yards and a straight 12 from 6 interceptions? A superstar year from a bust year! Cristobal believes Smart’s offense escaped accountability. Through all of that, Beck shone out and kept going. Certainly, he is not Cam. But they speak the same language of determination.
“He is different than Cam personality-wise, but not from a drive and determination side,” Cristobal said. “I think that really hit us strong in that very short process with Carson. His knowledge of the game speaks very loudly of a guy who’s been prepping his entire life. I also think we brought in a person who has a lot to prove, but more in the sense of winning. More in the sense of team than anything else.”
The only kick in the teeth is Beck’s long-lingering injury. Is Cristobal still seeing a way out of that block?
Mario Cristobal drops a relaxing Carson Beck update
Just when Beck started to get back on his mojo late in the season, he abruptly fractured his right elbow during the Texas SEC Championship game. Beck had to undergo surgery right after, but he’s still healing. He has missed the entire spring practice. For a new leader in the new system, that’s not ideal.
But Cristobal’s optimistic. Despite the limited physical exposure, Beck made his presence felt big on the young stars. He’s building an early leadership that the UM was looking for. Cristobal has said the way he is showing up for the guys, studying the films, adapting with the environment, is phenomenal.
“He’s almost at 100%. I’m talking about maybe a week away from being there. I mean he’s been throwing for weeks now. He joins our team on Sunday, and everything is full throttle. There is no limitations for him and he looks great,” the UM head coach brewed big hope. Now, it remains to be seen if Cristobal’s bold $4 M gamble pays off.
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