Carson Beck shares honest reaction to 'Vanilla Vick' nickname

Carson Beck couldn’t help but laugh when he first heard his new nickname.

The Miami Hurricanes quarterback was asked about being dubbed “Vanilla Vick,” and his response didn't skip a beat. Beck said the moment came on the podium after the Fiesta Bowl, when teammate Jakobe Thomas casually dropped it during a media session.

“I started dying laughing,” Beck said. “It’s hilarious.”

The nickname stuck not because Beck suddenly transformed into a full-time runner, but because of his willingness to do whatever the moment demands. Beck said his mindset hasn’t changed and winning is the priority. Whether that means handing the ball off, throwing into tight windows or taking off for a first down.

“I’m going to do whatever it takes to win the football game,” he said. “Nothing else really matters.”

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Beck joked that he hasn’t run a 40-yard dash in years, but still remembers posting a 4.7 time. Despite perceptions, his legs have quietly become a factor. Through three College Football Playoff games, Beck has rushed for 63 yards, more than a quarter of his career total, adding an unexpected wrinkle to the Miami Hurricanes offense.

That growth is part of a larger journey. Beck arrived in Coral Gables last year rehabbing from elbow surgery, grinding through early-morning sessions and wrestling with doubt. With Miami’s support, those doubts faded as the season went on. 

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Now, Beck has already delivered the defining touchdown that sent the Hurricanes to the national championship. On Monday night, he takes center stage against the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers at Hard Rock Stadium. 

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