Miami football 2 players transfer, Mauigoa dominating Polynesian practice

Pete Thamel of ESPN broke news on Tuesday quarterback Jake Garcia is transferring from the Miami football program followed by Manny Navarro of The Athletic tweeting center Jakai Clark would also be leaving. At Polynesian Bowl practice, Miami signee Francis Mauigoa was named the alpha dog on day one practice.

The decision for Garcia to transfer is not surprising. That he waited until the day before the transfer portal closes was surprising. Garcia was projected to be behind returning starting QB Tyler Van Dyke entering the 2023 season. Jacurri Brown and Garcia shared reps in the second half of the 2022 season with Van Dyke injured.

Clark was facing competition with recent addition Matt Lee who transferred to the Miami football program from Central Florida. With Lee as the projected 2023 Miami starting center, Clark would have had a chance to compete to start at guard. Lee graded out much higher from Pro Football Focus than Clark did in 2022.

Brandon Huffman of 247 Sports named Mauigoa as the Alpha Dog after day one of practice at the Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii. Huffman said, “(Mauigoa) showed why he’s a top six player nationally and the composite’s No. 1 offensive tackle, leading drills, taking as many reps as he could and even lining up at tight end some.”

Garcia had an inconsistent season in 2022. In eight games Garcia completed 59.1 percent of his passes for 803 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. When Van Dyke suffered a shoulder injury versus Duke Garcia was in line to become the primary Miami QB. Garcia never seized the opportunity.

Garcia was 13 of 21 for 198 yards, two TDs, three interceptions and two lost fumbles as the Blue Devils defeated 45-21. The ability of Brown as a runner led to him starting against Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh in November. With Garcia transferring and Peyton Matocha graduating Miami has three scholarship QBs on the 2023 roster.

Miami signed Emory Williams in the class of 2023. Miami has added seven transfers against the 19 the Hurricanes lost. The Hurricanes have added Lee, Alabama transfer Javion Cohen and five 2023 signees including Mauigoa and fellow five-star OT Samson Okunlola. Miami might have to seek an experienced transfer QB.