ATHENS – Georgia quarterback Carson Beck continues to receive numerous accolades after the senior quarterback was named a Preseason All-American by several media outlets this week.

It’s a testament to the belief in Beck, not just among those outside the Georgia football building, but those inside as well.

“We have top-notch receivers that are fast, and we have a top-notch quarterback,” tight end Oscar Delp said. “Sometimes it’s hard not to throw the ball a long way. He throws it up and guys make plays. It just happens when guys catch the ball and run the right routes and just build that confidence, it just happens over time. We’ve had some explosive plays this training camp. It’s cool to see him just throw the ball and have fun.”

Delp is one of Beck’s most trusted prospects entering this season. With Brock Bowers gone, Delp is Georgia’s undisputed top tight end.

If there are questions or concerns about what Beck could contribute, they come from those around him. After the release of wide receiver Rara Thomas in the preseason, there was some doubt about how deep Georgia’s wide receiver roster is.

The Bulldogs also have four new additions in the running back room, led by Trevor Etienne and Nate Frazier. Georgia also brought in Benjamin Yurosek to bolster the tight end room.

Georgia is excited about Delp, Dillon Bell and Dominic Lovett. But aside from them, Smart is publicly concerned about Beck’s weapons.

“There’s not the depth around Carson at the skill positions that there was in the past,” Smart said this week. “That puts even more pressure on him to feel like he has to be perfect. Feeling like he has to make the right decision, make the right protection check, do this and that. Can I rely on the guy who hasn’t done it yet and trust that he’s going to get it done even though he’s a rookie? Those are things Carson has to get comfortable with the other guys.”

This isn’t the first time this fall that a coach has used perfection in connection with Beck, as offensive coordinator Mike Bobo made a similar point when discussing Beck’s willingness to take long throws.

“It doesn’t always have to be a perfectly thrown ball that hits the opponent on the run,” Bobo said. “Sometimes we want that as quarterbacks. But a lot of it is about giving the opponent a chance. Not throwing the ball so far that you don’t have a chance, or throwing it out of bounds. Giving the opponent a chance to make a play. He’s done better than that.”

While Georgia doesn’t demand perfection from Beck, they acknowledge that he’s carrying a heavy burden this fall.

He’s expected to quarterback the best team in the country, which brings with it its own set of expectations. Add in the accolades and the buzz surrounding the Heisman Trophy, and it can be a lot to keep up with.

But Beck is up for the challenge. His teammates have seen this from the moment the 2023 season ended.

“Nobody likes the way we finished the season last year,” Smart said. “You can tell he’s made it through more than just the way he approaches practice every day. He wants to get better and make the guys around him better. He’s confident. He’s a great quarterback. He’s a great guy to practice with.”

“You can just tell he’s holding a grudge. He’s looking forward to playing this year.”

Oscar Delp praises Georgia quarterback Carson Beck