Jake Garcia, a class of 2021 commit for the USC Trojans at the quarterback position, is going to play his fourth and final high school season at Valdosta High School in Georgia.
It will be the fourth different high school for Garcia, a native of California who was set to play for his hometown school of La Habra this fall before the COVID-19 situation pushed the season back into January.
“I’m really excited about the decision,” Garcia told 247Sports. “For me, it was big to play as a senior. I need those game reps and this is going to be a big year for me mentally as well in terms of preparing for college. With not just California football shut down but the entire West Coast pretty much, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, etc, I knew I had to leave the region. Like I said, I think senior year is a really important time to learn and get better. This will be big for my development and I felt this was the best move for me to make long term.”
Garcia intends to graduate early and enroll at USC in the spring, making the transfer necessary to avoid missing his final season altogether.
For those worried a high schooler who has moved schools as rapidly as Garcia may waffle on his decision to attend USC, hopefully this will help:
“Yep, I’m still very solid in my commitment,” Garcia said. “The move to Georgia doesn’t change anything. I have communicated with the coaching staff and they supported my decision 110% as it is the best move to prepare me for the next level.”
Garcia is the No. 37 ranked player in the class of 2021 by 247Sports’ composite rankings, and he should compete with Miller Moss to be an impact signal-caller for the Trojans in the near future.
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