Miami football and 2021 QB Jake Garcia tops on each other’s lists

Jake Garcia the fourth-ranked quarterback in the class 2021 has the Miami football program at the top of his list of schools. The Hurricanes conversely have Garcia as their top priority for 2021.

Jake Garcia’s preferred college destination was discussed on the 247Sports recruiting podcast earlier this week. Greg Biggins, a national recruiting analyst for 247 stated that he believes that the Miami football program leads to sign Garcia and he is the Hurricanes top priority in the Class of 2021.

Biggins and Charles Powers discussed that the down nature of UCLA and USC’s football programs has led east coast and midwest schools to go out west and recruit more. The Miami football program has long had a history of recruiting QBs from California. Gino Torretta, Ken Dorsey and Brad Kaaya all came from the Golden State.

The Miami football roster is on their way to upgrading at QB under Manny Diaz. Each subsequent Miami recruiting class is on pace to have a better QB. The Hurricanes signed Payton Matocha in the Class of 2019 and have a commitment from Four-star signal caller Tyler Van Dyke for 2020. With each UM QB, the rankings are a bit higher.

Canes Warning examined the rankings of Matocha, Van Dyke and Garcia last week. Mathocha’s rating is substantially lower than Garcia and VanDyke. Matocha was a three-star signee out of Houston in February. He is destined to redshirt in 2019. Following that he will likely be a backup throughout his career.

In Canes Warning’s analysis of the potential for Garcia to add to the long line of Miami QBs from California, we looked at the overall rankings of Matocha, VanDyke and Garcia. Van Dyke is much higher rated than Matocha but behind Garcia. Van Dyke has the potential to start as a true freshman in 2020.

VanDyke’s recruiting profile grades him at 0.9209.“He is the 212th ranked player for 2020, the ninth-ranked pro-style QB and second-ranked player in Connecticut. At 6’4, 212 pounds, VanDyke has ideal size to succeed as a college QB.” Van Dyke’s performance at Paradise Camp last weekend hints at a bright future.

Andrew Ivins of Inside the U transcribed Biggins and Power’s conversation about Garcia.

"“Miami is in a really good spot. He loves Miami. He did Miami, Florida State and Florida back-to-back-to-back on a trip about maybe two months ago and talking to him and talking to people close to him, I put in a Crystal Ball pick for Miami.I think the feeling is definitely mutual,” Biggins explained. “I think he’s their top guy in the 2021 Class and I think Miami is his top school … Right now I think Miami is probably No. 1 and I couldn’t even think of who a No. 2 or No. 3 would be for him.While that sounds positive for the Hurricanes, it should be noted that Biggins doesn’t think Garcia will make a decision anytime soon. Now he’s not going to commit early. A lot of guys are getting it done early.He said he wants to play his junior season out and then make a decision so I think Miami fans will kind of have to wait a little bit. That’s always kind of tough. You would always love to see a guy lock it in early…If signing day was today for him, I think he would be a ‘Cane. So they are doing a phenomenal job recruiting him.”"

Garcia is the fourth-ranked pro-style QB in the Class of 2021, the 19th ranked player overall and the third-ranked player in California. He would be the first five-star player to commit to the Miami football program for 2021. Garcia grades out at 0.9914. That is better than any player Miami currently has on their roster.

Biggins compares Garcia to Los Angeles Rams QB Jared Goff. Goff was the first pick in the 2016 NFL Draft from California.

"“A pure pocket passer with a pure stroke and effortless delivery. He throws with touch and accuracy, can change speeds and already has an advanced feel for the position.Understands timing and anticipation, gets the ball out early and understands how to throw his receivers open and allow them to make a play after the catch…Projects as a impact upper tier Power 5 starter and future high round NFL draft pick.”"

At Miami, Garcia would have a chance to return the Hurricanes to being known as QB U. It would be difficult to imagine Van Dyke and Garcia being able to co-exist. This is not the era of having Bernie Kosar, Vinny Testaverde and Steve Walsh on the roster followed by Craig Erickson and Toretta.