Tennessee football's first opponent of the season has named a winner in its four-way quarterback competition.
Furman coach Clay Hendrix announced on Aug. 18 that graduate student Jake Garcia, a transfer from Michigan, will start for the Paladins when they visit Knoxville for the Vols' season opener on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+/ESPN+).
"(Garcia) 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 in a school release. "He's a talented guy who can make all the throws, and he has a good understanding of what we're trying to do. 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."
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Garcia is well-traveled, having spent time at four different FBS schools before settling at Furman for his final year of eligibility on April 28. He beat out Western New Mexico (Division II) transfer Connor Ackerley, junior Nehuel Garcia and freshman Trey Smith to win the starting job.
Garcia committed to Miami as a four-star recruit in the class of 2021 and spent two seasons with the Hurricanes, starting one game and appearing in eight others.
Garcia transferred and spent the 2023 season at Missouri, but did not see any action, then transferred again to East Carolina in 2024 and threw for 1,426 yards, eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions over six games for the Pirates. Last season at Michigan, he appeared in one game without attempting a pass.
The Paladins will open their season on Aug. 27 against Division II Anderson University.
Stephen Thompson covers Tennessee Volunteers men's basketball. Email him at stephen.thompson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @stephenethom.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football's first opponent names starting QB. What to know about Jake Garcia
