Former Georgia quarterback JT Daniels says what makes Carson Beck good, a quality he 'never had'

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is expected to be among the nation's best signal-callers and perhaps even the best prospect in the nation heading into the 2024 college football season.

But, what exactly is it that sets him apart?

Despite some looking at him as a high-floor "game manager" at first, there's been more attention given to the ceiling he brings to the table as well. Beck executes the offense well and has had a solid supporting cast that included standout pass-catcher Brock Bowers last season.

It's clear he operates well in the pocket and as a pure passer. But his improvisation ability and knack for getting things done out of structure as well only add to an already-impressive scouting profile.

"He's got one thing that I never had. He's a little more athletic than I am, but he has the just athletic enough (ability). Watching the Alabama game, I saw it two or three teams -- you saw it all throughout the year with him -- he's obviously elite and efficient in the pocket and that was never going to be a question with him," Daniels said in a recent interview with Bulldogs reporter Mike Griffith.

Third-down situations are one particular area that has impressed Daniels and others when watching the tape on Beck.

"But what he has is, two or three third-downs per game that he picks up on the ground. You know, when you get drop eight, or you get two-man without a spy. Carson, I saw him take off... when you get two third-downs like that, that can be a 14-point difference that wins and loses games. That's something that he has that takes him a step above the standard pocket guy."

Beck, who formerly served as one of the backups to Daniels during his heyday as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate himself, finished out the 2023 season with a 72.4% completion rate, 3,941 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.

There's no question the expectations are already sky-high for Beck with months to go until the start of the season, but how he could manage to make his stock rise even higher with potential to be the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft will be something to monitor.

Georgia kicks off its season on Aug. 31 against Clemson on the road.