Quinn Ewers vs Carson Beck Statistical Comparison: Which SEC QB will shine in Week 8 blockbuster?
As the Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs prepare for an epic top five battle on Saturday, quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Carson Beck are at the center of the media focus. Each was touted as a possible preseason Heisman Trophy candidate. Each has had some disappointing moments in the 2024 season but is still an outstanding passer.
Here's a rundown of the statistical battle between the two QBs.
Quinn Ewers vs. Carson Beck comparison
Recruiting ratings
This one isn't particularly close. Quinn Ewers was among the most sought-after players in the nation in his 2021 high school class. 247sports ranked Ewers as not only the top QB prospect but the top overall player in the nation in 2021.
Meanwhile, Carson Beck was a solid recruit but didn't make quite as much of a splash. A four-star prospect in 247sports's rankings, Beck was the No. 234 player in the nation for the 2020 recruiting class. Beck was the No. 5 pro-style passer in 2020, behind players as diverse as C.J. Stroud and Louisville backup Harrison Bailey.
Early numbers
Beck had the luxury of sitting for two seasons at Georgia, throwing just 23 passes in 2021 and 35 in 2022. On the other hand, Ewers had redshirted at Ohio State, and after transferring to Texas found himself starting immediately during his redshirt freshman season. Ewers had 2,177 passing yards and 15 touchdowns as a capable young passer.
In 2023, both players took off. Ewers improved his totals to 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns, even while missing two games with injuries. More important, he led Texas to its first College Football Playoff bid.
In 2023, Beck finally assumed the starting job at Georgia. He was outstanding, passing for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns. While Georgia did miss out on the Playoff, a 12-1 season as a starter was nothing to sneeze at.
2024 numbers
This season, Beck's production has been a bit up and down. His 1,818 yards and 15 touchdowns are both consistent with his prior production. Still, he's been a bit off. His completion percentage has dropped from 72.4% last year to 67.9% this year. His yards per attempt has dropped from 9.5 yards to 8.7 yards. He threw just six interceptions in all of 2023 and has already thrown five in 2024.
Ewers's biggest issue hasn't been productivity, but health. He suffered an abdominal injury early in the second half against Texas-San Antonio and then missed two entire games as he healed.
For the year, Ewers's numbers have been good, but not overwhelming. He has increased his completion percentage from 69.0% to 72.2% this year. His yards per pass attempt has cratered a bit, from 8.8 to 8.2 this season. And a season ago, Ewers threw just six picks all year in 394 passes. This season, he's already thrown three in just 108 passes.
The ground game
Neither QB is a rushing threat. This is significant at Texas, where Arch Manning has posted better passing numbers than Ewers while subbing for the injured passer. Meanwhile, Manning is also a capable runner. Ewers, on the other hand, has 93 career rushers for 27 yards and seven touchdowns.
Carson Beck has a slight advantage here. His career totals are 95 rushes for 231 yards and four touchdowns. He's a more comfortable runner, although it's not a significant part of his game.
Winning
Carson Beck is 17-2 as a starting QB at Georgia, with both losses coming to Alabama. Ewers, meanwhile, is 20-6 at Texas but has taken the Horns to the College Football Playoff. Both young QBs are praised for intangibles, game management and steady nerves.
How do you stack up Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers? Who will have the bigger game on Saturday? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.