CLEARFIELD — Some recruiting experts say it's the year of the high school quarterback in the state of Utah. There is Alex Cate of Cottonwood, who is committed to LSU; James Lark of Pine View, who is committed to BYU; and Logan's record-setting Riley Nelson, who has yet to commit but surely will after setting state records of 105 career touchdowns and 59 touchdowns for his senior season.
Other college-bound Utahns include Austin Raught, Fremont's wide receiver who set just about every receiving record and is being recruited by several PAC-10 schools; defensive standout Pauli Latu of Hunter, who's headed to Utah; and Brighton's Mike Hague, a stellar running back who'll play safety in the future for BYU.
A guy who very well could end up on that list is Nick Garcia, a 6-2, 305-pound defensive tackle from Clearfield. He was one of the bright spots for the Falcons, who had a somewhat disappointing 4-7 season. The Falcons ended on an upswing after a rough 0-4 start, winning their last three games before falling in the first round of the 5A playoffs to Hunter.
One constant for Clearfield, however, was Garcia, who has received interest from schools like BYU, Nebraska, Michigan, Oregon, Arizona and Arizona State, to name of few.
Garcia has faced constant double teams from opponents since his junior year, so it's safe to say region teams won't lose any sleep because he is going to college next year.
Garcia isn't just a big football player. He wrestled for the state title last year. However, he decided not to hit the mats again this year due to the fact he would have to lose about 35 pounds. That's not necessarily a good thing to do considering he's about to sign with a D1 school as a defensive lineman, and at that level, his size does matter.
This up-and-coming track season Garcia looks to defend his state title he won in the shot put. The Falcons have dominated this event the past couple years.
This past summer, Garcia headed up to Portland, Ore., to a Nike football combine so he could get some looks from some D1 coaches. He posted a time of 5.2 in the 40-yard dash, which was the fastest time put in among the top prospects in the nation for his position according to Rivals.com a nationals recruiting Web site.
When it comes down to a school that is leading for his services, Garcia summed it up: "Pretty much BYU if the or when they offer I will sign the letter of intent."
When that happens with the Cougars or whoever else, Garcia will be the latest of a long line of Randy Johnson-produced Clearfield players to go to a big school. Johnson just finished up his 15th season as head coach at Clearfield, which lost in the 5A first round to Hunter. He recently recorded his 100th career win and has one state title under his belt.
When speaking of his high school coach, Garcia said Johnson's "impact has been incredible." He will be the latest player to go to a big school out of Clearfield that Johnson has produced there have been many more that have gone on to the next level.
Garcia's dad, Mario, has been influential in keeping his son in shape throughout his life. At a lifting competition this past summer, Garcia lifted a combined 1,400 pounds in the bench, dead lift and the squat. That is an average of 466 pounds, and you will have a hard time finding anyone of that age who can match him.
Just as strength isn't an issue with him, neither is support. The Garcia family is a tight-knit group, which is a major reason you may see him stay local with his college choice.
Garcia's mom, Cindy, Clearfield's booster club president, describes her son as "just a big quiet kid."
Clearfield football results
(Season record: 4-7, first-round loss)
Aug. 19 — Hunter 41, Clearfield 21
Aug. 26 — Bountiful 13, Clearfield 7
Sept. 2 — Brighton 31, Clearfield 14
Sept. 9 — Fremont 26, Clearfield 21
Sept. 16 — Clearfield 27, Davis 14
Sept. 23 — Viewmont 38, Clearfield 21
Sept. 30 — Box Elder 30, Clearfield 17
Oct. 7 — Clearfield 17, Layton 14
Oct. 14 — Clearfield 21, Northridge 14 (OT)
Oct. 19 — Clearfield 38, Weber 7
Playoffs
Oct. 28 — Hunter 28, Clearfield 0