So far the recruiting process is crazy. It gets crazier by the day. I’m getting anywhere from 20 to 30 letters a day and about 15 at school. A total of about 50 a day. I get calls from recruiting websites all hours of the day. Rivals, Scout.com, Gamecocks Central. It’s ridiculous. They want to know how the process is going, the offer situation, what camps am I attending and what unofficial visits I have taken. I am going to the NIKE camp in Gainesville and how the visits have went.
So far I have taken unofficial visits to the University of South Florida, University of Florida, University of South Carolina, Ole Miss and Alabama. USF was the hometown school and I want to make sure I wasn’t missing out on anything. It was pretty good, I enjoyed it and they are in need of a quarterback. I’ve been to Florida about seven or eight times and every time I’ve been there it’s been great. The coaches are a little crazy, but I like them. They know how to recruit. USC was one of the better trips I’ve taken. The only negative thing was it wasn’t a direct flight. Go up to Charlotte and down to Columbia. Other than that, they are an up and coming program and I like them. Actually, two of their recruits (Quinton Richardson – offensive lineman and Gary Gray - cornerback) are going to be coming down in a few weeks and staying with me. Ole Miss was awesome, too. Alabama was awesome. The tradition they have is great. They are renovating their stadium. The tradition just blew me away. Coach Shula is cool and a smart guy. Laid back, but real serious.
Florida, South Carolina, Ole Miss and Alabama are my favorites right now. Anything can happen. I’m still up in the air right now. My main focus is our spring jamboree on May 18. We play Plant. I can’t wait to play to them, I’ve been wanting revenge since last year’s game.
I don’t know what camps I’m going to this summer. I’m hoping to get invited to the Elite 11 Camp, but first will be the Nike Camp.
Right now, I’m looking forward to this season, and help get attention to some of the other players we got on our team that have the opportunity to play D-1 football. We have a very good team this year, and I like our chances at running the table.
Posted by Tommy Burbage, Pawleys Island, South Carolina on 05/10 at 08:34 AM
Stephen, we need your talents, passion and more importrantly your attitude and leadership. All the resources are at USC for you to be successful under a legend of a QB coach. We need a “Cocky” QB!! We need you, man!
Debordieu #####
Posted by Bob Helmer, Columbia, SC on 05/10 at 08:22 AM
Stephen, best of luck in your senior year. We would love to have more ‘family’ in Columbia. Say hello to Gary and Debbie for us. GO GAMECOCKS!!!
Uncle Bob and Aunt Ann
Posted by Matt, Columbia on 05/10 at 07:57 AM
Julie, we would love to have you in Columbia, also. Stephen pack up the family and move to Columbia, SC. You are the “Talk of the Town” every day in the halls and offices where all Gamecock Fans preside. There is nothing like ‘2001’.
Posted by ty james, hotlanta on 05/10 at 07:16 AM
After reviewing all the facts, one thing stands out. Carolina fans really want you and you will be well recieved if you go there. Go ahead and commit and focus on your senior year. You can go out and win games without worrying about recruiting. You have until Feb to change your mind!
Posted by Gamecock Fan, Columbia, SC on 05/10 at 04:46 AM
Great Offense, Great Stadium, Great Fans, Great City, Great State...what more could you want? Come be a Gamecock!
Posted by j swindle, south carolina on 05/10 at 01:27 AM
hey stephen, the Gamecocks need u. we want u in columbia.
Posted by ClemsonOrange, TheOnlyUniversityInSouthCarolinaTigervilleUSA on 05/10 at 01:15 AM
Go ahead and sign with the LAMECOCKS. You will take a beat down like we give to them each and every year. Think about it...4 years of ##### whippings at the hands of the Tigers. We have the top rated QB in Korn coming to town and he would have fun watching your frustration.
Posted by Alex Reiss, Tampa on 05/09 at 11:32 PM
Enjoying your blog. Thanks. Hope you can provide some insight into the things a star athlete goes through during the recruiting process. Best of luck to you. Hope you give USF a good look: lots of potential to make a huge mark.
Posted by Tom Medlock, Columbia, SC on 05/09 at 10:12 PM
Hey Stephen, Columbia is ready for you! You will have a blast here, and receive a fine education while you’re at it. Gary Gray and Quinton Richardson got the ball rolling. Step up young man and become a Gamecock!! Trust your heart on this. By the way, my wife is from Tampa and my niece (who goes to school here) graduated from Plant last year. Hope y’all beat them on May 18!!
Posted by Bravecock, atlanta on 05/09 at 10:12 PM
Go Cocks
5 reasons to consider So Carolina
Play for someone who:
Has won the Heisman
Has Coached a Heisman
Has won a NC
Has won many SEC champs
Won at DUKE!
Posted by Justin Turner, Columbia, SC on 05/09 at 09:50 PM
Hey bro,
I know the process is hard and we certainly want you at the school that fits you best. On a very bias note, Carolina to me is a little bit of heaven on Earth. I have been in school for four full years and have decided to pick up a second major and stay for an extra year just to say I’m a Gamecock for one more year. There is nothing like the atmosphere here. 114 days until our football season starts, bro! Let me know if I can answer any questions or help you in any way.
Posted by Freehawk, Atlanta, GA on 05/09 at 08:56 PM
I hope you don’t ever go to Gamecock Central, all they ever do there is bash players and coaches. If anybody points out that doing so is bad for the program and is just bad form, they get blacklisted from posting.For you Gamecock Central people reading this, straighten UP.
Posted by Bob Cobb, Columbia on 05/09 at 07:13 PM
Would love to have you as a Gamecock Stephen
http://www.gamecocklife.com/videos/Tigerburn2005.wmv
Posted by Allen Reed, Houston, Tx on 05/09 at 06:35 PM
People tend to think that you are a Gator lock. While I completely understand going with your childhood favorite, the depth chart is much more favorable at Alabama. Since Brodie Croyle is gone, Bama has a “decent” qb in John Parker Wilson, an overweight underdeveloped qb in Jimmy Barnes, and a system qb in Greg McElroy. You would come in as easily #2 while competing for immediate playing time. On the other hand, Tim Tebow is possibly good enough to start over Chris Leak… so im sure you know how hard it will be to have any playing time there. Good luck and please keep Bama in mind.
P.S. Just please don’t pull a Tebow
Posted by #77 jeremiah putney, tampa,fl on 05/09 at 06:34 PM
yo garcia you no how this is your right intresting blog
go big blue!!!!!!!!!! 
Posted by Stephen Yien, Winter Park on 05/09 at 05:59 PM
As a USF fan, you really don’t want USF, we can’t seem to develop QB’s very well.
Posted by Daniel Johns, Tampa, FL on 05/09 at 05:54 PM
Ay man, i like the site, i just wanna say you got a bright future ahead of u, just keep a level head and stay on the right track, and ur gonna do big things as a quarterback no doubt....and have u told anybody yet about u transferring to sickles next fall
Posted by charlie s, Columbia on 05/09 at 05:48 PM
Go GAMECOCKS.
We want you, and need you the most.
I think thats clear.
Posted by Kenny Spindola, Wellington on 05/09 at 05:44 PM
If you go to UF, you won’t see the field, they have a top QB now. Go to USF, it’s a division 1 school in a decent conference, you will be playing in front of family and friends. And the most important thing is that you will have the chance to play right away. Think about it.
Posted by Bruce Haynes, Marion, NC on 05/09 at 05:39 PM
Stephen, you are a very bright young man and you are going to have a great future regardless of where you choose to play football.
However, if you choose UF, Bama, etc. you are going to be following in the footsteps of many great QBs at those schools. You may not even be remembered once your playing days are finished. If you choose the University of South Carolina there will be QBs in the future that will be saying I want to be the best QB at the University of South Carolina since Stephen Garcia played at USC. Man, I can promise that you will be loved at USC by all the fans. So come join what is going to be Steve Spurrier’s first class that will play for the SEC title in a few years.
Posted by J. A. Lackey, Tuscaloosa, AL on 05/09 at 03:56 PM
Hey Stephen. Hope you get the chance to visit Alabama during your recruitment. Our Academics, Tradition, and Excellence are unsurpassed. I hope you come help Alabama win our 13th National Championship. Any school on your list would be a good choice, but if you want to win a championship then Bama is the way to go and Coach Shula is a man who can guide as a person and a player. Have a great senior year and good luck this season. Roll Tide!
Posted by Sidney Rice, Columbia, SC on 05/09 at 03:42 PM
Stephen, come to Carolina and thow me some Touchdown passes! I’ll be here.
Posted by cj harmon, jacksonville, fl on 05/09 at 03:29 PM
Interesting blog.
There is something special building up in your backyard. USF can now play for national championships and the program is only 10 years old. You can write the history book. Your family and friends can watch every minute of it. see you at raymond james stadium plating for those Bulls!
Posted by leon pierce, kelso, tn on 05/09 at 03:23 PM
The main thing is to enjoy your final season in high school. You and your teamates make all the mothers and father proud because they are your support and will remember your team for years to come. When the time is right for you choose a team for your future make sure it is one that is right for you and your style of play. My hopes are that the TIDE would be the right fit but if not lots of luck as you continue your future with a college education and new team.
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Posted by Randy Hyman, Charleston, SC on 05/10 at 08:52 AM
Good luck on the upcoming season.
One point I’d like to make, take a look at the QBs in the SEC East (current and committed). USC will face the top Competition not only in the SEC East but also the West plus that upstart cow college in the NW portion of this state. If you come to Carolina, it will be a QB dream match-up almost every week. Gacia vs. Tebow, Garcia vs. Korn, Garcia vs. etc. The News Media will love it and I think you will too because you appear to be the kind of competitor Spurrier wants and we need. Remember, The Old Ball coach will not only be your Head Coach, he will also be your position coach, your mentor; and when you leave with your Hiesman, your MNC and your pro contract, you will be his equal and his friend.