Stephen Garcia was the highest ranked signal caller ever to play in Williams-Brice Stadium. That is, until the long-awaited arrival of Jake Bentley. The difference is very slight, however. 24-7 Sports has only a 0.14 point difference between the two passers. As a junior, Stephen Garcia led his team in an upset of the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. He and the Gamecocks went on to make make an SEC title game appearance. The Lutz, Florida native would finish his tenure at South Carolina as the Gamecocks’ third-best passer of all time. He notched 7,597 total yards in his belt. Now, instead of terrorizing defenses, Stephen Garcia mentors young quarterbacks.
Garcia’s Winding Path
However, the highly touted quarterback was benched midway through the 2011 football season due to inconsistent play. Eventually, Stephen Garcia was dismissed from the South Carolina Gamecocks football program for good. He went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft. In early summer of 2012, he signed a three-year deal with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was dismissed almost a year later in May of 2013.
Most work-worn collegiate athletes in Stephen Garcia’s position at this point in life would have gotten “normal” jobs. But Stephen Garcia knew he could still put his natural talent to good use. He knew of a way to exercise his ability outside professional football.
Finding His Way
Since 2012, Stephen Garcia has been mentoring young aspiring student athletes. The ex-Gamecock specializes in budding quarterbacks. He normally works with small groups of seven to ten at one time so he can provide the best individual training to his young protégées. One of these young men is a young superstar from Easley, South Carolina.
The young man already stands six foot tall at a lean 152 pounds. When the 2020 recruiting class rolls around, many teams will try to add him to their roster. The 14-year-old has a powerful arm well beyond his years and footwork to match. He has shown great ability to hit receivers in all areas of the football field. His name is Dallas Odom. Much like his mentor, Dallas demonstrates exceptional leadership and work ethic. The work ethic shows as he hones his crafts 300 days a year. He thrives on fierce competition and lives for the next touchdown.
He has just finished up his first season as Daniel High School’s quarterback on the junior varsity squad. Daniel High is home to current NFL athletes Nuke Hopkins and Shaq Lawson. He concluded his freshman debut season with nearly 2,000 yards through the air and 18 scores to only four interceptions.
Stephen Garcia says Dallas is a joy to mentor and is a great example to the other teens Garcia coaches. Although a dual threat, Stephen Garcia was very quick to point out the fact that Dallas isn’t a run first pass second type of quarterback.
“He’s definitely not like Cam Newton,” Stephen Garcia said, speaking of the Heisman Trophy winner he faced off against twice back in 2010.
A New Outlook
Stephen Garcia sees his “Garcia Passing Agency” as a way to vicariously continue his career.
He also gave praise to South Carolina Head Coach Will Muschamp as well as quarterback Jake Bentley. He believes the two have done a phenomenal job in such a short time in Columbia.
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