Georgia Quarterback Beck Provides Clarity on NIL's Role in 2024 Return
The past month has been a whirlwind for Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. From spending most of the season atop the college football rankings, to losing to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game and missing a chance for a College Football Playoff three-peat, to speculation about an early-entry into the NFL Draft to finally announcing his return to Athens for the 2024 season.
Somewhere along the way, NIL became the rumored main factor - including a $4 million price tag - driving his decision to return, however the junior quarterback debunked that narrative on Thursday when speaking to media ahead of the Bulldogs' Orange Bowl matchup against Florida State.
“I think the biggest thing that factored in my decision was just the chemistry and the connection in our locker room and just the standard that we’ve set at Georgia," Beck shared in his Orange Bowl media availability. "I’ve enjoyed every step of the way, every single game. Getting to go out there and do what I love.”
The All-SEC Second Team member and Manning Award finalist dove deeper on the NIL rumors circulating over the past few weeks.
“There’s a lot of numbers thrown around,” Beck added. “I want to say a month before the SEC championship game, I’m sitting there and I’m seeing it on Twitter and Coach Smart’s like, where is this coming from?’"
Beck, who has NIL partnerships with the likes of Zero FG Energy Drink, The Players’ Lounge and Leaf Trading Cards, recently signed a deal with Associated Credit Union, his first since announcing his Georgia return.
"That (NIL) was not one of the biggest factors of me coming back," Beck said. "Obviously, as the quarterback at Georgia, there’s going to be plenty of opportunities outside of Georgia for me to make NIL and things like that. For now, coming back and trying to win a championship with these guys and this team is so important to me. I know that’s so cliché and that’s what I’m supposed to say but I truly believe that.”
Projected to be a Heisman candidate in 2024, one of NIL's highest earners and a potential top 2025 NFL Draft prospect, Beck finished the regular season throwing for 3,738 yards, 22 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions.
Beck and the Bulldogs face the still-undefeated Seminoles in the Orange Bowl on December 30 airing at 4PM ET on ESPN.
