GREENVILLE, S.C. — While some schools in college football have not decided on who will be their starting quarterback when the season opens in a few weeks, the Furman Paladins are not one of them.
Furman head coach Clay Hendrix named transfer Jake Garcia as his new quarterback on Tuesday, as the Paladins get set to open the season next Thursday (Aug. 27) against Anderson at Paladin Stadium in Greenville, S.C.
“He didn’t get here until summer, but when we considered what he’s done and the amount and quality of work he’s already put in, both on the field and off the field, we believe he gives us the best chance to be successful,” Hendrix said.
Garcia, who spent last year at Michigan following a year at East Carolina, passed for 1,426 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024 quarterbacking the Pirates.
“He’s a talented guy who can make all the throws, and he has a good understanding of what we’re trying to do,” Hendrix said. “He’s also shown his mobility to keep plays alive. In his position he needs to be a leader of our team, which we think he is becoming when considering how the players have responded to him so far. The way he came in and went to work earned the respect of his teammates.”
Garcia’s arrival in Greenville provided the headline for a group Hendrix believes was due for a needed change. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound quarterback beat out fellow transfer Conner Ackerley, senior Nehuel Garcia and freshman Trey Smith for the starting job.
“We’ve had four guys battling in camp, and I’ve been pleased with all of them. There’s been good progress,” Hendrix said. “It’s a room that is different from a skill set standpoint than it was a year ago. That’s good because we have to be better.”
The arrival of Ackerley in January was the first indication of the positional change Hendrix was determined to pursue. A year ago, at Western New Mexico, Ackerley passed for 2,999 yards and 30 touchdowns in 11 games.
“Connor had a terrific freshman year, and we were glad to get him. He’s had a good camp and has shown he can also make plays with his feet,” Hendrix said. “He grasps what we’re trying to do and has moved the offense.”
Nehuel Garcia returns for his fourth year with the Paladins.
“Nehuel is a really smart guy and a good athlete,” the Furman head coach said. “This has easily been his best camp. There have been days he’s been the best one out there.”
Smith, a heralded prep performer, enrolled at Furman in January. Last year, as a senior at Roswell (Ga.) High School, he passed for 3,026 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushed for 1,268 yards and 25 scores in helping Roswell to a 12-2 record and state semifinal finish.
“Trey had a great high school career, and he’s really impressive with his play making ability,” Hendrix said. “He’s been thrown in there a bunch already. At this point you try to temper your expectations, but I think he’s ahead of where we thought he’d be at this point.
“He’s a heady, smart guy and a competitor. We may see him from time to time this year.”
Two other first-year members to the quarterback room, Ben Milliken and Logan Rogers, are expected to provide depth.
–story information courtesy of Furman Athletics