It was one of the more memorable plays of his Miami career.

With 24 seconds left in the Fiesta Bowl and the Hurricanes trailing Mississippi with a berth in the College Football Playoff Championship on the line, Carson Beck lined up under center, took the snap and then – after scanning the field – took off for the end zone himself.

The quarterback scored on a 3-yard scramble to give Miami the lead, the Hurricanes’ defense held on the Rebels’ final four plays, and ultimately, Miami left State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona with a 31-27 win.

On Friday, Beck learned he’d return to Arizona – and State Farm Stadium – soon enough after the Cardinals made him the newest quarterback on their roster, selecting him with the first pick in the third round of the NFL Draft.

Beck was selected 65^th overall and became the fourth Hurricane to hear his name called following offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (10^th overall to the New York Giants), defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. (15^th overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and defensive end Akheem Mesidor (22^nd overall to the Los Angeles Chargers).

And on Friday Beck couldn’t help but revisit that heroic touchdown run and Miami’s unforgettable run to the College Football Playoff Championship Game.

“There’s a bunch of just emotions and thoughts twirling around, but that’s the only game I’ve ever played in that stadium, and I mean, obviously, it’s really a great memory for me and obviously [for] the University of Miami,” Beck said. “We went in there and that game was able to end the way it [did]. I’m super, super stoked and super excited to be able to play in that stadium again and have the opportunity to do that for sure.”

For Beck, being drafted marked a milestone that might have seemed unlikely 16 months ago when the veteran quarterback hurt his elbow while playing for Georgia in the 2024 SEC Championship Game.

Days later, Beck had surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and not long after that, he opted to transfer to Miami for a fresh start.

Beck sat out all of spring drills and wouldn’t be cleared to throw until the summer, but it didn’t take long for him to show what he could do when healthy once the season began.

In Miami’s opener against Notre Dame, Beck threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the Hurricanes to a 27-24 win that would prove crucial during the playoff selection process.

The quarterback went on to become one of the nation’s most accurate passers after that.

He finished the season throwing for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns with 12 interceptions and his 72.4 percent completion percentage ranked second in the nation.

And after his dream of being drafted became a reality, Beck said he believed his year at Miami undoubtedly helped prepare him for this next step.

“I think that was a really good year of practice, of [transitioning] to a new team,” Beck said. “Being able to have that transition and learn a new team, learn a new offense, establish myself as a teammate, as a leader, as a friend to the guys around me and being able to have that experience, I feel like it will set me up for this next year. Even though it’s a new league, it’s a new team again.

“At the end of the day, we’re all guys who’ve been playing football for our whole lives. We’ve all had the same dream. We’ve all had the same goals, aspiration and being able to go through that last year, I think, will bode well for me heading into this next year and really just trying to approach it the same way and be myself whenever I step into the room.”

The other factor he thinks will help him transition to the NFL? His experience.

Beck was a five-year starter at Georgia before transferring to Miami. He’s competed in more than a few high-stakes games, won championships and led his team through the playoff.

All of that, he said, will make a difference as he transitions to the highest level.

“I don’t know the exact number of games I’ve started in. I think it’s either like 42 or 43 games, but I think that in itself holds weight with the experience that I’ve been able to put under my belt, and not only the experience, but the amount of big games that I’ve played in, the amount of big moments I’ve been in, and I think that’ll really, really help as I head into this next level.

“Obviously, it’s super different and I’ve got to put my nose to the grindstone and work, and that’s something I’ve always done and something I’ll continue to do and make sure that I have the right approach. So, again, I think that experience really helps me. … We’re starting brand new and I’m ready for this opportunity.”

Beck wasn’t the only Hurricane to have his name called on Friday.

Offensive lineman Markel Bell was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 68^th overall pick moments after Beck’s selection and before the third round ended, the Minnesota Vikings selected safety Jakobe Thomas with the 98^th overall pick.

And on Saturday, no doubt more Hurricanes will get the call too.

“Man, I’ve been blessed tremendously. I can’t thank anybody but the Good Lord,” Bell told reporters in Philadelphia after he was drafted. “My past hasn’t been easy at all…nothing in my life has been easy. I’ve been [faced] with adversity, and I overcome it every time. … I’m just glad to be here.”