Beal grew up in Duluth, Georgia and initially attended Norcross High School. After his sophomore year, he transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.[1] Beal transferred a second time to Peachtree Ridge High School in Suwanee, Georgia after his junior season, citing a desire to move back to his home.[2] He was originally rated a four-star recruit and initially committed to play college football at Notre Dame as a sophomore before decommitting later in the year and re-opening his recruitment.[3] Beal was re-rated a five-star recruit and ultimately committed to play at Georgia.[4]
College career
Beal played in 11 games during his freshman season at Georgia and had 15 tackles with four tackles for loss and one sack. He saw a decrease in playing time as a sophomore and used a redshirt on the season after playing in four games.[5] After the season, Beal entered the NCAA transfer portal, but later withdrew and returned to Georgia.[6] He played in all 15 of the Bulldogs' games and led the team with 6.5 sacks during Georgia's national championship season in 2021.[7] Beal had 26 tackles with three sacks and 20 quarterback pressures as a redshirt senior while Georgia repeated as national champions.[8]
Beal Jr. was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round, 173rd overall, of the 2023 NFL draft.[11] He was placed on injured reserve on August 30, 2023.[12] He was activated on November 27.[13] He made his first NFL sack in Week 18 against the Rams. He appeared in four games as a rookie.[14]