ATHENS, Ga. — Still feeling the sting of missing out on the College Football Playoff, the Georgia Bulldogs already have a major advantage heading into next year: They'll have their quarterback back.
The team announced Monday that Carson Beck would be returning for 2024. The Dawgs posted a message from the QB, who will be a senior next year.
"My friends and family have helped put me in a situation to have options for my future. However, the NFL can wait one more year. I am returning to UGA for my senior season. We need everyone's support in Miami to close this season out the right way!”
The Bulldogs play Florida State in the Orange Bowl in Miami on Dec. 30.
While the game may have an anticlimactic aura relative to the CFP, Beck and the Dawgs will be looking to prove they belonged - and set things up for next season - by beating an undefeated Florida State team.
Beck took the reins as the starting Georgia QB this year after Stetson Bennett exhausted his eligibility. He impressed as he led the Dawgs on an undefeated run all the way to the SEC Championship before Alabama dashed their hopes.
Before the SEC title game, Beck had even made some dark-horse Heisman noise as he threw for 3,738 yards, completed 72.4% of his passes and tossed 22 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Having Beck's return sealed will be a big boost the Dawgs as other offensive stars from the last few years - Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, Sedrick Van Pran among them - could choose to depart for the NFL.