If you were a Miami or Georgia Tech fan Thursday night, then you had a lot to be excited about. Former Miami QB Carson Beck, and former Georgia Tech QB Haynes King shined. Sure, an opening pre-season game doesn’t mean we saw the next Tom Brady playing, but it could mean both are on NFL rosters come this fall.
Beck had a pretty good chance to make the Phoenix Cardinals squad as a 3rd round pick, but King was an undrafted free agent. That’s a far more difficult path to an NFL roster.
CBSSports gave their breakdown of both in their standout performances.
On Carson Beck
The Miami product completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown in his first NFL action, and looked comfortable commanding this Mike LaFleur offensive attack. Maybe that was to be expected from the quarterback who racked up the most wins, passing yards and passing touchdowns in the FBS from 2023-25, but the point is the moment was not too big for him.
On Haynes King
He completed 21 of 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 39 yards, plus the game-winning score. King definitely missed a handful of throws, but made some, too.
Given his background and what happened on Thursday night, this is a preseason star in the making.
HAYNES KING WINS IT FOR THE PANTHERS
pic.twitter.com/HESbUZGhBN
— NFL (@NFL) August 7, 2026
