Carson Beck Selected by Cardinals in Third Round of 2026 NFL Draft

Carson Beck, a 23-year-old quarterback, was selected by the Cardinals with the first pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, at No. 65 overall. He became the third quarterback chosen in this draft. Beck spent six years in college football, starting with the Georgia Bulldogs where he contributed to two national championships, before transferring to the Miami Hurricanes.

In his super-senior season with the Hurricanes, Beck recorded a career-high 30 touchdown passes. The team advanced to the national title game but lost 27-21 to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Earlier, Miami defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the quarterfinals and prevailed against the Ole Miss Rebels in the semifinals, noted as being without Lane Kiffin.

time at Georgia included participation in the national championships. His transfer to Miami marked a significant shift, where he had a strong season leading the Hurricanes deep into the playoffs. The Hurricanes' playoff run featured key victories, including the upset over Ohio State and the semifinal win against Ole Miss.

Beck's performance in these games highlighted his abilities, with the national title loss coming against Mendoza.

underwent a strong NFL Draft process.

Most draft prognosticators projected him as a day 3 pick. He is likely to compete as the backup to starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett, following the team's decision to cut ties with Kyler Murray this offseason.

During his one year at Miami, Beck earned between $3 million and $4 million, according to multiple reports. He dated Miami women’s basketball star Hanna Cavinder, though the pair broke up before the season began, amid rumors and speculation about the split. In Feb. 2025, Beck and Cavinder had high-priced cars stolen, including a Lamborghini and a Mercedes.

College Experience Beck has been described as a lightning rod for attention during his college career. His enigmatic presence in college football spanned his time at Georgia and Miami. He participated in Miami's NFL Pro Day, throwing the football as captured by AP. Additional images from Getty Images showed his draft process activities.