With around two months left until the start of the season, the Michigan football team acquired an addition to its quarterback room. On Monday, it was reported that former East Carolina quarterback Jake Garcia committed to the Wolverines.
Garcia played his first two seasons at Miami, redshirting after a season-ending injury in his first game with the Hurricanes and throwing for 803 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 59.% of his passes in his second year. Transferring to Missouri the following season, Garcia saw no playing time with the Tigers and transferred to the Pirates for his fourth season.
At East Carolina, Garcia struggled amid an eventful year for the program. After throwing for 1426 yards, eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions over the Pirates’ first six games, Garcia was benched for sophomore transfer quarterback Katin Houser. One week later, with a 3-4 record and a shift at the quarterback position, East Carolina fired their coach. Over their next five games, the Pirates went 4-1 as Garcia stood on the sidelines.
Now, Garcia joins a quarterback room with three other healthy signal callers: freshman Bryce Underwood, sophomore Jadyn Davis and senior Mikey Keene. A starter has yet to be named, but it is expected that Underwood will play the majority of the snaps under center, perhaps with Keene leading the Wolverines through the nonconference slate as Michigan irons out early season wrinkles.
In Garcia, the Wolverines add a fourth quarterback the program can turn to if injuries arise or, in the case that play at the quarterback position falls greatly below expectations, a major change is necessary.
