In a major blow to Georgia’s College Football Playoff hopes, quarterback Carson Beck underwent elbow surgery on Monday, ruling him out for the postseason. The procedure repaired the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow, with Dr. Neal ElAttrache performing the surgery in Los Angeles.
For Beck, this marks an abrupt and bittersweet end to a stellar season. The junior signal-caller had been a cornerstone of Georgia’s offense, guiding the Bulldogs to an 11-1 regular season and an SEC title game appearance. Before his injury, Beck was projected to be a high pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and while his surgery was successful, it’s possible his college career is now over.
The injury thrusts backup quarterback Gunner Stockton into the spotlight. The redshirt freshman showed his mettle in the SEC Championship Game after Beck left with the injury, helping Georgia secure a nail-biting 22-19 overtime victory over Texas to clinch a first-round bye in the inaugural 12-team playoff format. Now, Stockton faces an even bigger test: leading the No. 2 seed Bulldogs in their CFP quarterfinal matchup against No. 7 seed Notre Dame at the Sugar Bowl on January 1.
While Stockton’s performance in the SEC title game was promising, stepping into the starting role during the playoffs is a different challenge altogether. The Bulldogs’ offensive strategy will likely shift to emphasize their running game and stout defense, but Stockton’s ability to rise to the occasion will be critical.
For Georgia, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Bulldogs are chasing their third national championship in four years, and their title hopes now rest on a young quarterback stepping into the biggest stage of his career.
As for Beck, his journey from a standout season to an unexpected surgery serves as a reminder of the fragility of sports. Whether his next chapter involves a return to college football or a leap to the NFL, his impact on Georgia’s program this season is undeniable.
The Bulldogs will head to New Orleans without their star quarterback but with the same grit and determination that have defined their championship runs. All eyes will be on Stockton, the defense, and the coaching staff to see if they can keep Georgia’s title hopes alive.