Miami’s Quarterback Gamble: Can Carson Beck Carry the Canes Past Notre Dame?
The Miami Hurricanes are quickly making headlines again, rising back into the upper echelon of college football. One of the major catalysts behind this surge has been their quarterback situation. Last year, head coach Mario Cristobal pulled off a major move by bringing in Cam Ward from Washington State via the transfer portal. The result? A stellar 10-3 season, a Heisman finalist nod for Ward, and the ultimate achievement—Ward getting selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.
This offseason, Cristobal is hoping lightning strikes twice. Enter Carson Beck, a transfer from Georgia, who’s now expected to lead Miami into another explosive campaign. But there’s a complication. Beck, while incredibly talented, arrived in Coral Gables nursing a serious injury—an elbow surgery to repair a UCL issue sustained during Georgia’s SEC Championship win over Texas.
Despite this, Cristobal seems confident. The plan has been clear: hand off the QB duties from Ward to another championship-caliber signal-caller. But Beck’s inability to throw a single pass during spring practice raised doubts among fans and analysts alike. The big question remains: Will Beck be ready in time for the season opener against Notre Dame?
On the May 16 episode of The Ruffino & Joe Show – Weekly CFB, hosts Joe DeLeone and Blake Ruffino tackled this very question. Joe pointed out that the real turning point in the Week 1 clash would likely be Beck’s performance. According to him, “The big driving talking point is going to be Carson Beck. He’s going to massively sway the outcome of this one.” The energy and setting of the opener will be intense, and all eyes will be on Beck under the lights.
But there’s more to the story. Joe emphasized that Notre Dame might have the upper hand heading into this heavyweight matchup. Why? Experience. While Miami is transitioning to a new QB with injury concerns, Notre Dame is bringing back several key defensive players—including Leonard Moore, Adon Shuler, and Christian Gray. With a veteran secondary and no “easy” opponents in Week 1 to get settled, Miami may struggle to find its rhythm. Joe concluded that Notre Dame’s defensive experience and Beck’s recovery status could be decisive.
Still, there are reasons for optimism in Miami. Beck is now reportedly throwing again. Though he missed spring ball, he’s been seen taking reps with teammates and studying the Hurricanes’ playbook intensively. His decision to come to Miami—rather than head straight to the NFL—shows his desire to prove something more.
Recently, Beck posted an Instagram story that stirred excitement: he was throwing with full power and without any visible discomfort or elbow brace. He looked confident, strong, and ready to reclaim his top form. This is the update Cristobal and his staff had been waiting for.
So, the stakes are clear. Carson Beck is back, and he’s aiming to silence his critics. While questions linger about whether he’s 100% ready, the signs point to a strong comeback. As fall camp nears and the showdown with Notre Dame looms, all of college football is watching. The Hurricanes believe they have their next star—and Beck is ready to prove it.