Jake Garcia, former Miami QB and top-50 overall recruit, reportedly transferring to SEC program

Nov 26, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Jake Garcia (13) attempts a pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Garcia is reportedly heading to the SEC to continue his career after 2 seasons at Miami.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported late Thursday that Garcia is transferring to Mizzou.

Garcia moved from California to Georgia to play during the COVID-19-impacted 2020 season. His parents legally separated so the move to Georgia would be a “bona fide move” to meet football eligibility requirements, creating controversy.

Finishing his career at Grayson in Loganville, Georgia, Garcia was rated 4-stars, the No. 5 Peach State recruit, No. 8 quarterback and No. 48 prospect overall in the 2021 recruiting class on the 247Sports Composite.

Garcia redshirted in 2021 at Miami. This past season, he played in 8 games for the Hurricanes. Garcia was 68-of-115 passing (59.1% complete) for 803 yards, 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

Thamel reports Garcia plans to enroll at Mizzou by the end of the week. Garcia’s arrival will be a boost to the depth of the Tigers’ QB depth chart for spring. Starting QB Brady Cook is out for the spring after having surgery on his right shoulder. Garcia and returning 2022 signee Sam Horn will lead the team through spring.

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      • Not divorced, They separated, and I'm guessing it was just a formality so their kid could join the team.

        • Cali refused the let kids play that year, so they sorta took one for their son. The problem was that they weren’t very private about their motivation, and as a result they hit a few bumps along the way before he was finally granted state playing eligibility.

        • His HS transfer was an absolute mess. Tried to play at Valdosta but the state refused because the only reason he moved was to play football. Then, the parents legally separated and Garcia was allowed to play at Grayson. He shouldn't have been allowed to play anywhere in Georgia.

        • Exceptions should have been made. The kid was basically a refugee from an overly tyrannical California government. But our whole country had lost its mind. Like all our knowledge of science was suddenly forgotten.

    • I think the loser between horn and Garcia will transfer next year. Probably Cook as well. I'm fine with that, I just want a good QB. We've got a really good recruit from Washington coming in behind all these guys too.

    • Which LSU quarterback will leave after who is the starter and the backup? This is the same for I think both Garia and Horn will stay as one will be the backup. Then there is the other 4* quarterback recruit, and he probably will redshirt this year.

  • Oh, this is gonna be hilarious. I want to be in the quarterback room and see the tension. Garcia and Horn were opposing quarterbacks in the 2020 Georgia High School Championship game after Garcia's BS move from California.

    • Horn's team was a monster that year, Garcia still has the better skill set and top end of the two, he was also higher rated than Horn.

      If Horn can't step it up he might want to consider a career in baseball.

      • Horn has always been more highly rated in baseball, but it’s not impossible for him to have a choice as a pro

        Cook is highly underrated as a rushing threat. Which one of these other QBs will challenge Cooks rushing for 1st downs and points??? Or low interception trend. Show-me we say round here.

        What are the statistics of recovery quality after torn labrum? AND what happens to arm strength and quality?

        Missouri needs quality depth at Oline more than any other position, after that D line

        Drinks new OC should get same grants in aid as DC, but any overload happens in any position it hurts the team, if that is happening Drink needs to have a coaching staff meeting!

    • Did you live in California and experience what they did? Kid should have had every right to get out of there for any reason.

  • Drink has brought in a new Offensive coordinator, an elite QB, and 2 elite WRs in the last month. He's clearly committed to changing the identity of the offense. He has won back my support, for now at least. He's embracing his true role as CEO and doing what's best for the program.

    Guys, if this Offense clicks like the defense did, this 2023 team could be special. The defense should be as good or better this fall.

    I don't see any way Cook wins the job again. Horn and Garcia need to duke it out for the starting job and hopefully the competition lights a fire. They're already rivals with each other so this should be interesting.

    • "I don’t see any way Cook wins the job again."

      Yeah I think missing Spring Practice with two very good QB's running the show certainly puts Cook a little behind. But then again I kind of wonder how much his shoulder was holding him/the offense back last year? A good shoulder and healthy Cook might still be a better QB than either Horn or Garcia. However there's another decision maker in the room now too, Kirby Moore, thank goodness.

      • If Cook does win the job, I'll feel better about it knowing someone besides Drink was influencing that decision. If Cook can develop his passing game he could be a good player.

        I know players want to play, but Cook didn't do himself any favors by playing injured and underperformed because of it.

      • Cook will be at the spring practices learning the 2023 scheme right along with the other QBs

        Cook knows the Missouri roster better than everyone else in that position.

        I haven’t seen enough of the other candidates to know if they can beat Horn out or not. Or even to say if Horn might beat Cook

        If the new OC doesn’t repeat their low interception rate and doesn’t have a true dual threat quarterback, then he might be going back to the coaches portal !

    • Cook improved a lot last season but I'm not saying he's the answer. However, if Horn was even close to being a legitimate challenger he would have done it last season. I read somewhere that Horn doesn't work real hard. That won't win the starting position at any school except kansas.

  • I’ll reserve my judgement on this move for a few years. I still cringe remembering the Kelly Bryant hype. Not that he wasn’t good or a good person, but that team fell flat on their faces and really fell short on expectations.

    • KB got injured in the 2nd game of the season and was plagued by it all year. And Garcia isn't Bryant, Drink isn't Odom, etc. Apples and oranges.

      • I remember, and agree with your sentiment. That’s why I’m holding my judgement one way or the other. No hype, no negativity. Time will tell if this was a good move or not, but I’m anticipating Horn will transfer regardless.

        • Why Horn transfer? He will be playing baseball too! Baseball is more likely where he wants to focus more on than football. Stop thinking he will transfer! There are many top programs that have 3 or more top quarterback on their team. Why aren't they talking about who will transferring out? Including LSU fans saying which one will transfer out. But LSU will keep all their quarterbacks intact. That is silly.

        • I was there and this loss was squarely on the boys not being ready to play. Wyoming was forcing fumbles and playing with intensity while Missouri was up there too ?watch a rodeo? Or something. 100% on the team attitude of not being ready for the fight.

  • This is awesome. I thought Garcia was the top QB in that HS class. It'd be even more dope if he and horn shared duties. Lol duty. Lol doody. Lol Sam Horn sounds dirty

    • The reason for this has happened is Drinkwitz is able to let the new OC to get his pick of a quarterback to give quarterbacks on the team a competition for the starting job.

    • Perhaps, but perhaps not too. Garcia is basically just taking Macon's roster spot and eligibility so it was always a spot that was going to be filled/held by a QB. I think he certainly upgraded the room, but if the opportunity is there with an open spot there's no reason not to upgrade.

    • Not necessarily, it's not like he's some scrub they found at a D2 school. Garcia had offers from Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Texas and USC. Even if you like your QBs, you'd still be interested in landing him.

    • Maybe it's more telling of what his new OC Moore thinks of the QB room, brought in a top juco and a better portal QB since he arrived.

  • We'll see. Garcia is a good get. But Drinkwitz just doesn't seem to have a plan other than throw whatever he can at a problem and hope it works. I love how people still throw Cook under the bus when it was the coach's responsibility to not be in that situation in the first place and he never called plays to Cooks strengths which should been open receiver, not open, run. Cook did not fail having been given the best there was to offer.

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Andrew Olson