Mario Cristobal, the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, has always been known for his attention to detail and his ability to dissect the nuances of elite quarterback play. With the 2025 college football season approaching, Cristobal took some time to reflect on two of the most talked-about quarterbacks in the country—Cam Ward and Carson Beck. While both signal-callers are considered among the elite in the game, Cristobal’s evaluation of their similarities and differences provides a fascinating look into how two quarterbacks can excel in completely different ways.
Cam Ward, the electric playmaker who transferred to Miami from Washington State, has taken the ACC by storm. His arrival was met with considerable fanfare, and expectations were high from the moment he stepped onto campus. Ward is dynamic, fearless, and perhaps most importantly, unpredictable. His ability to extend plays and turn broken-down situations into highlights has made him a fan favorite and a nightmare for defensive coordinators. Cristobal sees Ward as the kind of quarterback who forces defenses to stay honest on every snap.
“Cam’s creativity is off the charts,” Cristobal said. “He’s got this natural instinct to make plays when the pocket collapses. He’s not just reacting—he’s reading the situation, buying time, and trusting his receivers to get open. That’s what makes him so dangerous.”
On the other hand, Carson Beck, Georgia’s polished and poised quarterback, is the epitome of control and precision. Cristobal respects Beck’s ability to command an offense with surgical accuracy and rarely make mistakes. The contrast between Beck and Ward, in Cristobal’s eyes, is not one of talent, but of style and philosophy.
“Carson Beck plays the game like a chess master,” Cristobal explained. “He’s always two or three moves ahead. He processes information at an elite level and rarely puts the ball in harm’s way. He’s not going to wow you with improvisation, but he’s going to beat you with his mind and his arm, over and over again.”
Cristobal believes that comparing the two quarterbacks isn’t about determining who is better—it’s about understanding what each brings to the table and how their skill sets influence the rhythm of their teams. He points out that both Ward and Beck are capable of putting up massive numbers, but they do so within very different frameworks. For Ward, the chaos is part of the design; for Beck, the structure is the foundation.
Ward’s transition to Miami has been seamless, in part because Cristobal has built an offense that plays to his strengths. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has opened up the playbook, allowing Ward to operate in space and use his legs to keep drives alive. Cristobal has stressed that the offensive philosophy isn’t just about giving Ward freedom—it’s about trusting his instincts and allowing him to lead in his own way.
“Cam has this rare ability to make something out of nothing,” Cristobal said. “You give him a little room, and he turns it into 30 yards. That kind of playmaking is hard to teach. What we’ve tried to do is put him in situations where he can use that creativity without feeling like he has to do everything himself.”
Meanwhile, Beck has thrived in Georgia’s pro-style offense, where timing, execution, and consistency are paramount. Beck isn’t looking to break contain unless absolutely necessary, and he doesn’t need to. With an elite offensive line and a deep stable of skill-position talent, Beck’s job is to distribute the ball efficiently and stay ahead of the chains. Cristobal sees Beck’s approach as almost robotic in its precision—and he means that as a compliment.
“You watch Carson on film, and it’s just clean football,” Cristobal said. “The ball comes out on time, the decisions are quick, and the mistakes are minimal. That kind of consistency puts a lot of pressure on defenses because you know you’re not going to get easy stops.”
Cristobal also touched on the leadership styles of the two quarterbacks, noting that Ward leads with passion and emotion, while Beck leads with calm and confidence. Ward’s teammates feed off his energy—he celebrates every first down, rallies the huddle with fire, and embraces the chaos of the game. Beck, by contrast, rarely flinches. He leads with a quiet command that settles his teammates, especially in high-pressure situations.
“Both guys are incredible leaders, but they do it in different ways,” Cristobal said. “Cam brings that edge—you can feel his presence on the field. He’s loud, he’s emotional, and that energizes the whole team. Carson’s leadership is quieter, but no less effective. He has that aura of control, and guys trust him because he’s always locked in.”
When asked which quarterback he’d prefer to have under center in a hypothetical game, Cristobal smiled and chose diplomacy.
“They’re both special. I think it depends on the team around them and the situation. If you need someone to bring you back when everything’s going wrong, Cam’s going to give you a shot because of the way he plays off-script. If you’ve got a lead and you need to close the game out without mistakes, Carson’s going to manage that drive to perfection.”
Cristobal’s insight also extended to how the quarterbacks prepare during the week. Ward, according to Cristobal, is a film junkie with an artist’s mindset. He sees the game in brushstrokes, constantly looking for opportunities to innovate. Beck, on the other hand, is like a technician in a lab. His preparation is methodical, and he spends hours fine-tuning every aspect of his game.
“Cam watches film to find cracks,” Cristobal said. “He’s trying to see where he can create. Carson watches film like an engineer—he’s building a machine, and every part has to fit perfectly.”
Despite their different approaches, Cristobal emphasized that both quarterbacks are incredibly competitive and driven to win. That drive, he says, is the one trait they absolutely share.
“Cam and Carson are both obsessed with getting better,” Cristobal said. “They don’t settle. Whether it’s a big win or a rough game, they’re already thinking about what comes next. That’s what separates the good ones from the great ones.”
Cristobal also noted the importance of adaptability in today’s college football landscape. He believes that both Ward and Beck represent the evolution of the quarterback position, albeit on opposite ends of the spectrum. One is a creator who thrives in chaos; the other is a conductor who thrives in order. And in Cristobal’s view, there’s room for both.
“This isn’t a one-size-fits-all game anymore,” Cristobal said. “You can win with different styles, as long as the quarterback knows who he is and the coaches build around that. That’s what we’ve tried to do with Cam, and that’s clearly what Georgia’s done with Carson.”
As the season unfolds, the comparisons between Ward and Beck will only intensify. Both are likely to be in the mix for national awards, and both have a shot at leading their teams into the College Football Playoff conversation. Cristobal, though, is more focused on appreciating their excellence in the present moment.
“Too often, we try to pit guys against each other,” he said. “But the truth is, college football is better because of both of them. You watch Cam play, and it’s like jazz. You watch Carson, and it’s classical. Different sounds, but both beautiful in their own way.”
In a sport that’s constantly evolving, Cristobal’s evaluation of Ward and Beck is a reminder that greatness comes in many forms. Whether it’s Ward dancing away from pressure and delivering a strike on the run, or Beck calmly dissecting a defense with pinpoint accuracy, both quarterbacks are rewriting the rules in their own style. And for Cristobal, that’s what makes the game worth watching.