Florida adds Maryland transfer OT Max Garcia

Sophomore offensive tackle Max Garcia told Rivals.com‘s Ryan Bartow on Saturday that he has decided to transfer to the Florida Gators ending weeks of speculation about where he would play his final two seasons of college football.

“Once a Terp always a Terp, but it is a great day to be a Florida Gator!! #GatorNation,” he wrote on Twitter later in the day.

Garcia, the Norcross, GA product and 2010 three-star recruit who decided to leave the Maryland Terrapins in order to play closer to home, chose Florida over Georgia and USC. He had called UGA his leader one month ago.

Despite his age, Garcia has plenty of on-field experience after starting all 12 games for Maryland in 2011 and drawing positive reviews while doing so. He will be forced to sit out the 2012 season per NCAA rules but will retain two years of eligibility beginning in 2013.

Garcia is the second offensive line transfer that the Gators have received in as many years after the team picked up center/guard Dan Wenger from Notre Dame last season.

Photo Credit: Associated Press