Providing an explanation for Carson Beck’s exclusion from Ari Wasserman’s list of the top 10 college football players returning in 2025

In the world of college football, rankings and player evaluations often generate strong opinions, particularly when a player with high expectations like Carson Beck, the quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs, is excluded from prominent lists. One such instance occurred when Ari Wasserman, a respected college football analyst, released his list of the top 10 returning college football players for the 2025 season—and Carson Beck was noticeably absent. Given Beck’s important role in Georgia’s success, this omission raises questions and invites analysis.

To understand the reasons behind Beck’s exclusion, we must consider multiple factors: the depth of talent across college football, Beck’s individual performance in 2024, the overall competitive environment in college football, and perhaps Wasserman’s criteria for player ranking. While Beck is undoubtedly a highly talented quarterback, there are nuanced reasons that might explain his exclusion from a list that often highlights players at the peak of their college careers.

1. Ari Wasserman’s Criteria for Ranking Players

Before diving into the specifics of Carson Beck’s exclusion, it’s important to understand Ari Wasserman’s ranking methodology. Wasserman, a senior college football writer at The Athletic, tends to base his rankings not only on raw statistical output but on a variety of factors such as:

• Impact on the Game: Wasserman considers how much a player influences the outcome of a game and their team’s success. This includes clutch performances, leadership, and the player’s ability to make big plays in key moments.
• Position Group Depth: For positions like quarterback, Wasserman often takes into account the sheer number of standout players at that position. In a year where college football has several elite quarterbacks, it becomes harder for any single player to stand out.
• Pro Potential and NFL Draft Stock: Wasserman frequently gives weight to the draft stock of players, often rewarding those with the potential to make an impact in the NFL, especially if they are expected to go high in the draft.
• Team Success and Context: Players on teams that are national championship contenders or those that can influence the playoff picture are often rated higher. Team success can elevate individual players, but in the case of a team with multiple stars, a player may not stand out as much.

Given Wasserman’s nuanced approach, the exclusion of Beck from the top 10 might be rooted in a combination of these factors, rather than just a direct evaluation of Beck’s talent.

2. Carson Beck’s 2024 Performance and Context

To understand the reasons behind Beck’s exclusion, we must first examine his performance during the 2024 season. Beck, a redshirt sophomore, took over as Georgia’s starting quarterback after Stetson Bennett, who had been the Bulldogs’ signal-caller during their back-to-back national championships. In 2024, Beck was expected to keep Georgia’s offense at a high level, especially with the departure of several key contributors from the previous championship teams.

Beck’s numbers during the 2024 season were impressive in many ways, but they must be viewed in the context of the expectations surrounding Georgia football. As a starting quarterback for one of the most dominant programs in the country, Beck was tasked with maintaining a high standard of play. He had a strong season, throwing for over 3,500 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only 8 interceptions. However, when compared to other quarterbacks in the country, some of whom were statistically even more prolific, Beck’s numbers, while solid, may not have stood out as much.

Context of Team Success

Georgia’s offensive success in 2024 was not solely attributed to Beck’s performance. The Bulldogs boasted one of the most complete teams in the country, with a dominant defense, a solid offensive line, and dynamic playmakers at every position. Beck was certainly a key contributor, but Georgia’s system allowed him to thrive within a balanced attack that didn’t always rely on the quarterback to win games on his own.

Unlike quarterbacks at other schools, Beck didn’t always have to be the driving force behind Georgia’s success. Georgia’s powerful defense and balanced offensive approach allowed Beck to manage games more than put up eye-popping statistics. In contrast, quarterbacks at schools with less overall talent or more up-tempo offenses were often forced to take on a larger share of the load, leading to greater individual statistical production.

Comparing Beck to Other Elite Quarterbacks

In Wasserman’s rankings, the top 10 players often feature a number of elite quarterbacks, many of whom put up more impressive individual statistics than Beck. Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), and J.J. McCarthy (Michigan) were among the top signal-callers in 2024, each of whom put up huge numbers in offenses that leaned heavily on their ability to produce at an elite level. Beck, while steady and efficient, didn’t necessarily have the same “wow factor” or sheer individual brilliance that some of these quarterbacks showcased throughout the season.

The reality is that Beck, in a more traditional offense that’s designed to be balanced, may not have had the same opportunity to accumulate jaw-dropping numbers. As Wasserman’s ranking often places a premium on individual impact, Beck’s lack of statistical dominance may have worked against him in comparison to quarterbacks in systems that favored more prolific passing games.

3. Depth of Quarterback Talent in College Football

One of the major factors behind Beck’s exclusion from Wasserman’s top 10 list is the sheer depth of talent at the quarterback position in college football heading into 2025. College football has become increasingly quarterback-centric, with a number of elite signal-callers emerging each year. This year, the quarterback talent pool is particularly deep, with names like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), and others commanding attention.

With so many standout quarterbacks in college football, there’s less room for all of them to make it onto Wasserman’s top 10 list. Even though Beck had a solid 2024 season, his performance wasn’t enough to leapfrog other quarterbacks who were able to produce both individual statistics and win games at the highest level. In a sense, Beck’s exclusion could be seen as a byproduct of the overwhelming depth of quarterback talent that makes ranking quarterbacks incredibly competitive.

4. Team Success vs. Individual Accolades

Another possible reason for Beck’s omission is the importance of individual success in a team-oriented sport like college football. While Beck certainly played an important role in Georgia’s offense, it’s arguable that his success was somewhat diminished by the fact that Georgia’s team success was a result of contributions from all units, not just Beck alone. The Bulldogs’ defense, special teams, and other players were integral to their overall success, and as a result, Beck’s individual recognition might not have been as prominent.

For Wasserman’s list of top returning players, he likely gives significant weight to the player who drives a team’s success, rather than just being a cog in a larger machine. The most memorable and impactful players are often those who consistently perform in critical moments, particularly in tight games or high-stakes matchups. In Beck’s case, while he didn’t falter, he wasn’t the quarterback to carry Georgia on his shoulders the way other top quarterbacks in college football did for their respective teams.

5. Pro Potential and NFL Draft Stock

Beck’s NFL draft stock may also play a role in his exclusion from the top 10 list. While he’s projected to be a high-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, some analysts may not view him as a top-tier quarterback prospect in the same way they do other signal-callers like Caleb Williams or J.J. McCarthy. Beck, while undoubtedly talented, hasn’t yet demonstrated the same level of elite, transcendent play that some of these other quarterbacks have consistently shown.

In Wasserman’s rankings, pro potential often carries weight, and Beck may not have yet shown the kind of dynamic playmaking ability or NFL-caliber traits that would vault him into the top 10. In a list that includes players who project to be future NFL stars, this may have worked against Beck, whose value to his college team is undeniable but whose future NFL trajectory may not yet be as clear-cut as some of the other top quarterbacks.