Jake Garcia, a Michigan quarterback who began his career at Miami (Fla.), has entered the NCAA transfer portal. Garcia has completed his fifth college season and currently does not have any eligibility remaining, meaning any next step would likely require an NCAA waiver or other avenue to play again.
Michigan quarterback Jake Garcia has entered the transfer portal, @chris_hummer and I have learned.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 15, 2026
Former top-50 overall recruit who was a starting QB at ECU before transferring to Michigan. Began his career at Miami: pic.twitter.com/e2yPLqtzgO
QB Jake Garcia enters the transfer portal
Garcia's portal entry is the latest chapter in a journey that has now included four programs in five years. He signed with Miami and spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the Hurricanes, then moved to Missouri for 2023 and East Carolina for 2024 before landing at Michigan for the 2025 season.
At Michigan this past season, Garcia appeared in one game during a 66-3 win over Central Michigan on Sept. 13. But his most meaningful recent tape came at East Carolina, where he logged his largest workload as an FBS starter. Garcia threw for 1,426 yards with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions during the 2024 season with the Pirates, and after he initially won the starting job, he was later replaced.
Garcia signed as a highly regarded recruit and appeared in nine games with one start for Miami across the 2021 and 2022 seasons, completing 79 of 129 passes for 950 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. His first career start came in Miami's 14-12 win over Virginia in 2022. His 2021 debut ended with a season-ending injury after one appearance.
On3's Industry Ranking had Garcia as a four-star prospect and the No. 53 player nationally in that cycle. He also committed to USC before flipping to Miami.
Maybe there is a waiver coming for Garcia so he can play one more year of college football. Regardless of what happens, it adds another surprising footnote to a career that started in Coral Gables.