Interview: 4-Star 2021 QB Jake Garcia Talks Alabama Visit and Offer with Recruiting Update

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The promise and abilities of Jake Garcia have been known in the Los Angeles area for a couple of years, but now those talents are being recognized nationwide. In addition to his four-star recruiting ranking, the 6-3, 195-pound, gunslinger has racked up 17 offers from some of the best college football programs in the nation. The rise in status comes off a sophomore season where he led Narbonne High School to a LA City Championship after connecting on 76 percent of his passes for 1,802 yards with 13 touchdowns and two rushing scores in eight games played. The fervor to get Garcia on campus as early as possible for college staffs has made spring 2019 a busy one with multiple trips planned into SEC, ACC, and Big Ten territories. Fresh off his weekend visit to Alabama, where he picked up offer 17, I sat down with Garcia for insight on the big weekend with a look ahead.

*Click link for March 17, 2019, RNG interview with Jake Garcia from the Under Armour All-American Camp in Oakland 

Interview

Jake, when we last spoke at the Oakland Under Armour All-American Camp on March 9, you had a double-digit visit list ahead. Which schools have you visited in March thus far?

“I have visited Arizona State, Auburn, and Alabama.”

How did the ASU visit go?

“It was really cool. I really like the staff at Arizona State. I really like the city a lot. There are a lot of great people out there.”

What about Auburn, how did that trip go?

“Auburn was great. I got to spend two days there. I got to get a feel of the great southern hospitality there. Everyone was nice there. Coach (Gus) Malzahn (head coach) and Coach (Kenny) Dillingham (QB/OC) were great. I like their system as well.”

How did the Alabama visit go?

“Alabama is big-time football. I talked to Coach (Nick) Saban (head coach) for a quite a while. He shared some knowledge with us about the program; that was great. I really like Coach (Steve) Sarkisian’s offense (QB/OC). I like the way they are running everything there.”

You mentioned Coach Saban shared some knowledge with you about the program, what did he say?

“He talked about the way they run the program at Alabama and why they are so successful. He spoke a lot about life after football, which was great to hear. That was a big part of our conversation.”

What all did you do during the visit? Did you take in a practice?

“We did not get to see a practice, we were there on Sunday. Went on tours and met with the coaches.”

What did the coaches tell you they liked about your game during the visit?

“They like the throws I can make and how I can run the offense from under center and in the shotgun. They like that I am comfortable in both, which is unique now-a-days. That was a big one for the coaches.”

What was that moment like for you getting the offer from Alabama?

“We were in Coach Saban’s office. We were about 15 minutes into the meeting and he said ‘he really likes my film a lot and sees that I have a bright future.’ He said that I ‘fit their system’ and then he said ‘I have an offer to the University of Alabama.’ We kept going after he offered me, but it was a great feeling receiving the offer.”

What upcoming visits do you have on the schedule?

“My next visit is April 4-7 at LSU. Then I am going to Miami, Florida, and Florida State. I’m not sure when I am going yet, but I also plan on visiting Tennessee, Ohio State, and Oregon.”

What has you excited about visiting LSU next?

“I get to meet family there in Louisiana that I have never met. After spending a day there with family, then we will go to stadium for a visit. I am excited to see what they have to offer. I really like Coach O (Ed Orgeron – head coach) a lot. I am excited to spend time with him and learn more about their offensive scheme.”

Jake, always great catching up with you. Congratulations on the big offer and good luck with your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

Jake Garcia’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Auburn, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, LSU, Florida State, Louisville, Indiana, Miami, Ohio State, San Jose State, Nebraska, Tennessee, USC, Vanderbilt, Arizona, and Arizona State

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Photo credit: Garcia family; Jake Garcia at Alabama and Auburn