Joel Klatt Raises Red Flags About Star College Football QB originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Miami Hurricanes were on the verge of making their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in program history. They entered the final game of the season with a 10-1 record and needed just one more win to secure a spot in the ACC Championship Game.
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Their opponent for this pivotal game was the Syracuse Orange. The Hurricanes led by 21 points at one point, but ultimately lost the game 42-38, which resulted in them missing the playoffs. Also, following the season, Miami lost its star quarterback, Cam Ward, to the NFL Draft, where he was selected first overall by the Tennessee Titans.
To fill the gap left by Ward, Miami brought in former Georgia Bulldog Carson Beck. However, on “The Joel Klatt Show,” Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt expressed one major concern regarding the Hurricanes’ new quarterback.
Miami quarterback Carson Beck© Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
“The biggest question for Miami, at least in my estimation, is Carson Beck,” Klatt said. “This elbow situation is concerning. He didn’t throw in the spring but began throwing in May… I’m concerned about that elbow.”
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That might be what holds back the Hurricanes from achieving their first College Football Playoff appearance. Beck injured his elbow in the first half against the Texas Longhorns during the SEC Championship Game. Georgia went on to win that game 22-19 in overtime and secured a spot in the CFP. Beck was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Klatt expressed his belief that the defense and the offensive line will improve by 2025. However, he is concerned about the wide receiver position, as many of the players on the roster are new and consist primarily of transfers.
After looking over the schedule, Klatt believes Miami has a real shot at reaching the playoffs, especially if they can get past either Notre Dame or Florida. He doesn’t see the ACC as a major hurdle but pointed out that Cristobal has a track record of falling short of expectations.
This year, he hopes to change that and lead the Hurricanes to their first College Football Playoff.
Related: Carson Beck’s Spring Practice Absence Sparks Major Concerns After His $4M Miami Move
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 10, 2025, where it first appeared.