CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Carson Beck was only 17 when he enrolled at Georgia.
Just a kid, completely unaware of what the next six years would bring, on and off the football field.
Had no idea he’d become a lightning rod for criticism. Had no idea his elbow would need to be surgically rebuilt. Had no idea that every start, every pass, every mistake, everything he did was going to be scrutinized.
When his college career ends Monday night, he can get the last word in — some might say the last laugh.
The Jacksonville native’s final game before he turns pro will be for the College Football Playoff national championship, with Beck leading No. 10 Miami (13-2) into the title game against No. 1 Indiana (15-0), with the Hoosiers led by Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. It will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, on the same field where both Beck’s Hurricanes and the NFL’s Miami Dolphins play their home games.