Miami signs No. 2 pocket-passer Jake Garcia

Miami landed its quarterback of the future Wednesday, as four-star recruit Jake Garcia announced on Instagram he is signing with the Hurricanes.

The California native is ranked by ESPN as the second-best pocket-passer in the country and is listed as the 18th-best overall prospect in the class of 2021.

Garcia backed off his commitment to USC in early December after initially announcing his verbal pledge to the Trojans in September 2019.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound quarterback moved from California to Georgia to play for Valdosta High School for his senior campaign after the California Interscholastic Federation delayed the football season until December. The signal-caller's parents legally separated to meet Georgia residency rules in order for Garcia to be granted immediate eligibility, according to ESPN’s Mark Schlabach. Garcia’s parents plan to get back together as soon as the football season is over.

Despite his parents’ drastic measures, Garcia was ruled ineligible after a Georgia High School Association investigation concluded his family's move to attend Valdosta did not satisfy the GHSA’s guidelines for immediate eligibility, according to Todd Holcomb of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After playing one game for Valdosta, the Californian transferred to local powerhouse Grayson High School, where he was granted immediate eligibility for the remainder of the season.

He now joins fellow ESPN 300 members defensive tackle Leonard Taylor, linebacker/safety James Williams, and wide receivers Jacolby George and Romello Brinson on the Hurricanes’ promising 2021 roster.

Head coach Manny Diaz and the Canes continue to piece together a strong class after an 8-2 record this season.