Michigan has added one other skilled arm to its quarterback room for the 2025 season. Jake Garcia, a well-traveled signal-caller who spent final yr at East Carolina, has signed with the Wolverines as a graduate switch with one yr of eligibility remaining, sources confirmed to CBS Sports activities/247Sports’ Matt Zenitz. He visited Ann Arbor earlier this week earlier than making his choice.

With no clear-cut starter heading into the autumn, Garcia joins an open competitors at quarterback. A former Top247 prospect within the 2021 class, he presumably turns into the fifth scholarship quarterback on the roster — and the one wholesome one with prior beginning expertise.

The Wolverines wanted veteran depth to assist five-star freshman Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 total prospect within the 2025 class. In the meantime, 2024 starter Davis Warren continues to get better from a torn ACL suffered within the ReliaQuest Bowl, and Fresno State switch Mikey Keene missed all of spring observe on account of a shoulder damage.

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With lower than 80 days till the 2025 season opener, Garcia’s Michigan arrival provides one other layer of intrigue to a quarterback battle that is still unsettled.

What does Garcia’s arrival imply for Michigan?

Neither of the 2 wholesome scholarship quarterbacks on the Michigan roster — Bryce Underwood nor redshirt freshman Jadyn Davis — have tried a go in school. Whereas that’s not to say both is incapable of dealing with the job, the Wolverines will surely really feel extra snug getting into the season with one other signal-caller who has not less than taken adequate stay reps. That’s the reason the addition of Garcia is sensible.

Even with all of the hype surrounding Underwood, who has drawn comparisons to Vince Younger and Cam Newton, Michigan is not speeding to crown the five-star freshman because the Week 1 starter towards New Mexico. However ought to he wrestle out of the gate or undergo a setback, the Wolverines want a confirmed insurance coverage coverage behind him. Now, they’ve one other one in Garcia.

Keene resumed throwing in April, and coach Sherrone Moore anticipated he can be again to full energy by summer time. Keene is a little bit of a journeyman himself, starting his profession at UCF (2021–22) earlier than transferring to Fresno State (2023–24), the place he began for 2 seasons. There’s additionally the added layer of familiarity with new Michigan offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Chip Lindsey, who held the identical roles at UCF in 2022 when Keene was the Knights’ backup.

Garcia misplaced the beginning job at East Carolina final season after six weeks. Although he is made simply seven profession begins, together with one at Miami in 2022, his 649 profession snaps rank second amongst Michigan quarterbacks, trailing solely Keene.

Michigan would not have the posh of easing into the 2025 season with September street video games at Oklahoma in Week 2 and at Nebraska in Week 4. So, solidifying the quarterback depth chart with skilled choices is crucial.

From Miami to Michigan: Garcia’s winding path

Garcia started his school profession at Miami in 2021, ranked No. 116 total and the No. 16 quarterback in his class out of Whittier (Calif.) Grayson. He suffered a season-ending damage in his school debut throughout Week 4 however returned to play in eight video games with one begin the next yr in 2022. Garcia accomplished 61.2% of his passes for 950 yards and 7 touchdowns with 4 interceptions with the Hurricanes earlier than transferring out.

Garcia hoped to revitalize his profession at Missouri in 2023 however by no means noticed any motion with the Tigers, in the end deciding to switch for a second time. He earned the beginning job at East Carolina in 2024 however struggled in his six begins. Garcia accomplished 60.2% of his passes for 1,426 yards and eight touchdowns, however he additionally threw 12 interceptions.

Now, Garcia arrives at Michigan aiming to compete for a beginning position and supply depth to a quarterback room that severely restricted the Wolverines’ ceiling for achievement final season.

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