Good programs sign a quarterback every year. Not just projects, but guys who can compete. Miami checked that box last night. Garcia seems flashy but he’s really a throwback: a smart, accurate and tough pocket passer from California. Miami has done well with that type.
I thought Garcia was overhyped when I first saw his clips. There are some Martell vibes with the transfers and the family. But his time in Georgia has changed my image of him. This is a guy who was already highly ranked with big offers. He could have sat out and quarantined with Instagram floozies. Instead, he moved cross-country to the heart of South Georgia just to play football. That says something.
In his first game, he led Valdosta to a comeback victory over a good Warner Robins team. When the state declared him ineligible (through no fault of his own), he transferred to Grayson and picked up another complex HS offense on the fly. Since then, he’s won every game and led them to the semifinals without their two best players. His ability to connect with different teammates is impressive, and our own commits recruited him harder than the coaches.
I can’t break it down like Roman, but after watching five full games (Buchanan, Warner Robins, Parkview, Harrison, West Forsyth) my comparison for Garcia would be a smaller Jared Goff. The Rams keep Goff clean with quick hitters, play action and bootlegs. When he has room to operate, he’s deadly. Garcia is the same way. His fundamentals are textbook and he has the arm talent to make every throw. Despite his image, he's actually blue-collar. His dad was a linebacker at Nebraska and a cop, and Garcia will stand in his pocket and take hits with no issue. He's also about his business on the field and not much of a talker.
Garcia’s make-or-break skill will be eluding the first defender. If he can’t do that consistently, he will struggle. But for all the talk about having a dual threat, the modern game is really about passing. Look at what guys like Kyle Trask and Shane Buechele have done this year.
Will he fail and transfer? It’s possible. The majority of blue-chip QBs do. But he has a chance, and healthy programs give themselves as many lotto tickets as possible at this position. Garcia can push TVD in a way that guys like Matocha can’t. Let the best man win.
