Georgia quarterback Carson Beck underwent elbow surgery on Monday and has been ruled out of the College Football Playoff, the university confirmed. The surgery was deemed a success, focusing on repairing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Beck sought treatment from Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for the procedure. With Beck sidelined, the responsibility of leading the No. 2 seed Georgia team in the upcoming playoff games falls to Gunner Stockton, with their first match set against the No. 7 seed Notre Dame at the Sugar Bowl on January 1st in New Orleans.
Head coach Kirby Smart acknowledged Stockton’s increased role in light of Beck’s absence, stating, “(Stockton) got lots of reps prior to these practices, but he’s getting much more now. I do think … when you get ready for an opponent like Notre Dame, you need time, and we have time.” Beck’s injury potentially marks the end of his college football career, as he was anticipated to be a prominent selection in the 2025 NFL Draft before the setback. Beck, who had served as Georgia’s starting quarterback throughout the season, was forced to exit the Southeastern Conference title game prematurely due to the injury. Stockton stepped in and played a crucial role in securing a 22-19 overtime victory against Texas, which also earned Georgia a first-round bye in the inaugural 12-team playoff format.
Throughout the season, Beck amassed impressive stats, throwing for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, exhibiting his value as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. In contrast, Stockton, who has seen action in three games this season, has recorded 206 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. As the team adjusts to the shift in leadership, Stockton’s performance will be under close scrutiny as Georgia embarks on its playoff journey.
