When Miami quarterback Carson Beck appeared on the Jumbotron at Lucas Oil Stadium during the NFL combine, the response from pro-Indiana fans was anything but welcoming.
Each pass attempt was met with boos from the crowd. This backlash came after Beck lost to Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner whose performance led Indiana to win a national championship over Beck’s Hurricanes earlier last month.
So what fueled the negative vibes from the Hoosiers supporters? The reasons are not completely clear, but theories suggest discontent stemming from Beck’s decision to leave the field without shaking Mendoza’s hand. Like many teammates, Beck exited the field amidst a shower of red and white confetti following Indiana’s 27-21 victory.
Beck’s last throw in college ended up in the hands of Miami native and Indiana defensive back Jamari Sharpe, sealing Indiana’s perfect season and their first national title.
“They made a great play,” Beck noted following the game. “It was a Cover 2 defense, and he read the play well to make a fantastic interception. A lot of credit goes to them. They performed exceptionally. It’s tough; it’ll hurt for a while.”
According to CBS Sports’ NFL Draft rankings, Beck is currently seen as the seventh-best quarterback prospect and ranks No. 199 overall. In contrast, Mendoza is widely predicted to be the top choice in upcoming drafts, particularly for the Las Vegas Raiders, who are in search of a franchise quarterback.
Beck became part of the Hurricanes in January 2025 as a highly-rated transfer after a successful stint at Georgia, where he boasted a 24-3 starter record. His draft plans were altered by a severe arm injury incurred during the SEC title game, prompting his transfer instead of entering the draft. He went on to play one final season with Miami.
This season, Beck threw for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns, achieving a completion rate of 72.4%. His performance helped propel the Hurricanes to wins against Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss in the College Football Playoff, only to falter against Indiana. As a sixth-year redshirt senior, he was among college football’s highest-paid athletes last fall.
After the championship game, Beck described his experience at Miami as “the best of his life.”
“Ending like this is hard,” Beck stated. “It hurts. Yet, this group has been through so much. To have that chance to win at the end really says something about our team.”
