ATHENS, Ga. — To some, it was an example of how NIL money has gotten out of control. To others, it was an example of what’s right with the still-evolving system.
To Carson Beck, it’s just a car. A really, really nice car.
It’s the most noteworthy story of Beck’s offseason so far, which means it’s been a good offseason: Georgia’s starting quarterback now (apparently) owns a Lamborghini, a model valued well into the six figures. Meeting the media for the first time since it was revealed, Beck appeared amused at the attention it received.
“I love cars. I got a car. That’s really all it is,” Beck said, smiling. “Obviously a lot of people are going to look at it and say what a terrible decision, what a terrible choice with his money. But it’s just a car at the end of the day. It’s not too big of a deal. I’m just driving it around.”
Beck did not say whether he bought the car, he leased it or it is part of a deal with the dealership. His comments indicated it was part of a deal but that he also used some of his own money. Beck doesn’t have to divulge it publicly, thanks to the new rules (or lack thereof) for college athletes in the NIL era.
But he did say this wasn’t about a status symbol. It was about a childhood dream.
“I’ve always been a car guy since I was a kid. I mean I grew up always loving cars,” Beck said. “My dream car when I was super, super young was always a Mustang. I never actually had a Mustang, then I grew out of it when I was like 14 or 15. But I’ve always been a huge car guy, then growing into that and being able to associate myself with that brand name that large, being able to get that car, obviously it’s a blessing. Being able to associate myself and get that car, it’s been awesome.”
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Evidently it’s not sparking jealousy among teammates. Outside linebacker Mykel Williams smiled when asked about Beck’s new car, saying he was happy for him because he’s earned it. In his first year as Georgia’s starter, after serving three years as a backup, Beck led the SEC in passing yards (3,941) and finished second in completion percentage (72.4) as the Bulldogs ranked in the top five nationally in scoring and yards per play.
It also helps, Williams added, that Beck has given “quite a few” rides to teammates.
“Carson’s a big team guy,” Williams said.
Guard Tate Ratledge, one of Beck’s closest friends, said the quarterback gave him a heads-up on the new acquisition.
“That’s always been a dream of his, so seeing him be able to do that, it’s awesome,” Ratledge said.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, who endorses Ford trucks, was not asked about his quarterback’s Lamborghini. Dereliction of duty by the assembled media, clearly. But Smart did say Beck has been asserting himself as a leader, which didn’t come to him naturally. Partly because he doesn’t have a rah-rah personality. Partly because this time last year he didn’t officially have the starting job.
“I’m more comfortable leading and talking, kind of guiding guys in the right direction — because I’ve done it,” Beck said. “People respect me now that I have done it. And that was the thing that held me back from being more vocal last year, or being a bigger leader last year, is I hadn’t done it yet.”
Coming into this spring as the starter, Beck added, also means he can concentrate less on competing with the other quarterbacks than “competing against myself.” As good as Beck’s numbers were last year, there should still be upside, and it would help the team if he reached it.
Georgia loses tight end Brock Bowers, who was one of the top weapons in the country, along with receiver Ladd McConkey, another possible first-round pick, and its two leading rushers. The team that returns still has plenty of other highly regarded players, on both sides of the ball. But it faces one of the toughest schedules in the country, with trips to Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss, and a neutral-site opener against Clemson.
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Beck, if he can raise his game even more, gives his team its best hope of navigating that schedule, making the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff and living up to what’s expected to be a preseason No. 1 ranking.
And as he does it, yes, Beck can drive there in style.
“There’s just something about pulling out of the driveway, hearing a well-built engine, the exhaust, I don’t know how to explain it,” Beck said. “I don’t know how to explain it, it just puts a smile on my face.”
(Photo: Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
