Florida Gators

2017: Played in all 11 games as a reserve linebacker and key member of Florida’s special teams… Made his first and only career start at Missouri… Totaled 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and one pass breakup throughout the season… Named the Orange Bowl FWAA Courage Award Player of the Week after he posted four tackles and one tackle-for-loss at Kentucky… Recorded a career-high tying five tackles, career-high 1.5 tackles-for-loss and one pass breakup against Georgia… Named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll… 2016: Played in all 13 games and started his first-career game in the Outback Bowl against Iowa… Was a reserve linebacker throughout the season, but was a key member on all four special teams units for the Gators… Recorded seven tackles on the season, including a career-high five against Iowa… Named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll… 2015: Made his UF debut in the 2016 Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl against Michigan and made two tackles… Joined the team as a walk-on during the 2015 season.
 
Off the field: The Gainesville Police Department credited Garcia for preventing a sexual assault during the summer of 2016 and he appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America to discuss the story. Later, he was honored at the Vice Presidents House by former VP Joe Biden with one of the administrations inaugural “It’s On Us” Courage Awards.
 
PRIOR TO FLORIDA:
Began his college career at Malone University in Ohio before transferring to Florida Tech in Melbourne after one semester at Malone… Enrolled at Santa Fe College with the hope of joining the Florida football team… Began working on UF’s video staff while taking classes at Santa Fe prior to officially joining the team as a walk-on in Week 3 of the 2015 season.
 
CAREER HIGHS:
Tackles: 5 (2x, last vs. Georgia, 2017)