Interview: Georgia Camp Performance Leads to Bulldogs Offer for 2021 QB Jake Garcia
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The rest of the college football recruiting universe is quickly catching on to what was one of the best kept secrets in Southern California high school football – Class of 2021 quarterback Jake Garcia. Garcia was talented enough to be able to take varsity snaps for Long Beach Poly behind four-star 2018 Ole Miss signee Matt Corral. When Garcia was in, he was automatic completing 19-of-22 for 408 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions. College football scouts have responded to the play of the 6-3, 185-pound, talent with five offers thus far the latest coming from Georgia after a camp performance with the Bulldogs joining Indiana, San Jose State, Nebraska, and Arizona State; an offer extended when Garcia made it back home on Friday from Thursday’s performance in Athens.
With a busy offseason learning a new playbook after a transfer from Poly to one of Los Angeles’ best football teams, Narbonne, and a SEC camp performance creating buzz, I got a few minutes in with Garcia for a quick one-on-one catch-up interview.
*Click link for Feb. 3, 2018, RNG interview with Jake Garcia
Interview
Jake, how are your offseason workouts going?
“They are going great. I am trying to get the new offense down. I am learning the ins-and-outs knowing what to do and when.”
Will you still be running a spread offense with Narbonne?
“Yes, but this will be my first time being in a RPO (run-pass) offense. Poly was more under center, more a pro-style offense.”
What have you been working on for the 2018 season and for your college camp circuit?
“I am always trying to be as consistent as I can. One thing I want to work on more is having a shorter stride. I get a little bit excited and over stride a little bit.”
Where are you seeing the biggest growth in your game?
“I am seeing my biggest growth with my leadership at Narbonne. I am getting the playbook down. Now, I am adjusting to my receivers, running backs, and to the line. I am getting everyone on the same page.”
Which camps and/or combines have you attended this offseason?
“I have attended the Rising and Stars Camp, the Georgia camp, a Redlands camp with Colorado and an Arizona State camp at Whittier.”
How did the USC camp go?
“It was good. Off the first camp, I was invited to the USC Elite Camp the following day. It was great to go out there and perform. I got some new contacts and connections from coaches at the USC camp.”
What did you think about the Georgia camp?
“That was a really well-run camp. The way they ran it, you get individual time with the coaches. I got to see some of the talent from the other side of the country at that camp; that is always eye opening.”
How well did you perform at the Georgia camp?
“I threw really well there. The other quarterbacks there pushed me to elevate my game. I picked up some good coaching from the staff as well.”
What feedback did you get from the Georgia coaches?
“They helped me work on my stride and have a quicker drop back. They also worked with me at the top of my drop being able to angle myself to make a clean throw without swinging the gate with my front foot.”
Beyond that, you picked up an offer from Georgia.
“Yes, sir.”
Congratulations.
“Thank you.”
When they extended the offer, what was going through your mind and how did you react?
“It was big. My mom and dad were in California, they were waiting to hear what happened. Coach Danny Hernandez (QB coach) was happy with the way I threw. I felt like I performed to my best abilities.”
Which coach offered you?
“Kind of a funny story. They brought me up to Coach (Kirby) Smart’s (head coach) office, it is a suite overlooking their amazing practice facility. Coach Smart was talking like I had already received the offer. When we finished the meeting, Coach Danny and I looked at each other wondering if they had offered or if that was his way of offering. Come to find out, Coach Smart thought I had already received the offer from Coach (James) Coley (quarterbacks). Later, Coach Smart and Coach Coley formally extended the offer together.”
Nice. Where does your busy camp schedule take you next?
“I might go to the UCLA camp on the 24th. I was supposed to go to an Alabama camp, but I cannot make it out there.”
How many offers do you have now with Georgia?
“I have four offers.”
When we last spoke, you were receiving interest from schools like Cal, Oregon State, Notre Dame, Penn State, TCU, and Texas Tech, what other schools are showing recruiting interest?
“Colorado, Arizona State, and Wisconsin – their QB coach came out to watch me throw.”
*Garcia was offered by the Sun Devils after this interview
Do you have any visits planned separate from the upcoming camps?
“I think I am done. I want to get out to Knoxville and Alabama, but I don’t know if that will happen.”
You mentioned Wisconsin coming to see you throw, did any other college coaches come by Narbonne to meet with you in-person or watch you throw in practice this offseason?
“We have phenomenal players on the team and amazing coaches, when the college coaches come out, I don’t know that they are there for one person specifically but to see all the talent that we have. A couple of the coaches that I know were there to see me, Coach (Bryan) Ellis (quarterbacks) and Coach (Tee) Martin (OC) from USC and Washington said they liked me after watching me throw.”
Jake, congratulations on your Georgia offer and good luck with the rest of the camps.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Garcia family; Jake Garcia and crew at Georgia