With three college-bound running backs, a handful of other top prospects and the nation's fifth-ranked team, there's plenty of intrigue for ESPN2 viewers in Friday's Georgia high school football showdown between Parkview (Lilburn) and Grayson (Loganville). Much of the spotlight, however, could focus on a backup quarterback.
Grayson senior Jake Garcia sits behind junior De'yon Cannon on the depth chart, but the nation's fourth-rated pro style signal caller and USC commit figures to eventually lead the Rams toward a state-title run. Cannon is 54-of-97 passing for 683 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
On Monday, the Georgia High School Association approved Garcia's eligibility after the California native transferred to Valdosta (Ga.) in August, played in one game, was ruled ineligible and left to enroll at Grayson. He plans to graduate in December and enroll early at USC in the spring.
"I can't wait," Garcia told 247Sports recruiting writer Greg Biggins about playing at Grayson. "I'm excited and really looking
forward to the opportunity. It's going to be great to get back out on
the field and face those live bullets again. I've definitely missed it."
The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder played at two schools in California before leaving the state because the California Interscholastic Federation moved football to 2021 due to COVID-19. Wanting to get one more season of training, Garcia and his father Randy moved to Georgia to play for the nation's winningest program and legendary coach Rush Propst at Valdosta.
Garcia
played in one contest
for Valdosta, throwing for 240 yards and two
scores as the Wildcats earned a season-opening 28-25 win over Warner
Robins. The victory was later forfeited following an ESPN article that revealed details of the family's move east and a two-week investigation by the GHSA. Garcia also was ruled ineligible to play at Valdosta.
That didn't preclude him from playing elsewhere, so the family relocated 230 miles north near Atlanta to play for the country's No. 5 team.
"Honestly, I wouldn’t trade this experience for
anything," Garcia told Biggins about his experience at Valdosta. "I really enjoyed my time here and
if I was asked to come and I was told I can practice and only play one
game at Valdosta, I would definitely do it still. I got so much from the
experience."
He'll have three regular-season games — including Friday — to sharpen up for the playoffs. He's surrounded by a boatload of talent, including Clemson-bound running back
Phil Mafah (834 yards, 13 touchdowns), defensive ends
Victoine Brown (Louisville commit) and
Noah Collins (Georgia Tech), and another Georgia Tech commit in playmaker
Jamal Haynes (22 catches, 315 yards, six touchdowns).
Parkside, winners of four straight, is led by the potent running duo of Tennessee-bound
Cody Brown (4,451 career rushing yards, 60 touchdowns) and
Tyler Curtis (527 rushing yards in 2020, eight touchdowns).
How to watch
What: Georgia high school football, Parkside (5-1) at No. 5 Grayson (6-0)
Date: Friday, Oct. 30 | Time: 6 p.m. EST
Location: Grayson High School (Loganville)
TV: ESPN2 |
Live Stream: WatchESPN 
Jake Garcia as a junior playing for Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.).
File photo by Steven Silva
