No, not that Terps transfer.
Along with quarterback Danny O’Brien and linebacker Mario Rowson, offensive lineman Max Garcia was given a very conditional release from his Maryland scholarship last week. Like O’Brien, Garcia is laughably barred from transferring to Vanderbilt, but other schools in the SEC are free game and very much in the mix for the lineman’s services.
Garcia’s high school coach confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that his former player is on the receiving end of scholarship offers from Auburn, Georgia, Florida and Ole Miss. Additionally, Alabama and South Carolina are considering doing the same for the Norcross, Ga., native.
It appears, though, that two schools are the early front-runners for the experienced lineman.
“He was very excited about Georgia and Florida both coming in on him,” Norcross High School assistant Reggie Stancil told the paper. “It’s a situation where you get your release but you don’t know who all is going to want you or have space on their roster for you. It’s kind of a scary situation for any kid going into it.
“Now that his name has gotten out there and people have watched his film and loved it, it’s a big relief that four pretty good SEC schools want him.”
As Garcia has yet to graduate, he will have to sit out the 2012 season regardless of which SEC he ultimately chooses. He will have two years of eligibility remaining starting in 2013.
As a true sophomore in 2011, Garcia started all 12 games for the Terps at left tackle.