LA HABRA, Calif. — Unlike his passes, Jake Garcia's high school football career hasn't exactly been smooth sailing.

On the surface, the incoming senior high school quarterback may have it all: multiple Division I offers, a national ranking, and a commitment to USC with plans to enroll in January.

But there is something very important that Garcia doesn't have on his resume, a full season as quarterback under his belt.

“One word, adversity, dealing with adversity," Garcia said of his high school experience. "It has been very rocky, walking on eggshells. The last time I played a full season of football it was back in 8th grade, so in 2016 or 2015.”

Garcia started high school as a freshman at Long Beach Poly. He then spent two seasons at Narbonne, before transferring to La Habra High School in January. it was there he imagined playing out a senior season for the memory books.

“I'm from Whittier, so I imagined being able to have that hometown feel," he said. "I imagined a great time, winning a state championship.”

While he may still achieve the dream of a state championship, it won't be in his hometown. Instead, it will be across the country at Valdosta High School in Georgia.

Garcia is one of several Southern California quarterbacks making the move out of state after the California Interscholastic Federation announced last month that no football would be played until January.

Many players have opted to transfer to states like Georgia, Utah, Colorado, and Alabama, places where high school football is still on track for the fall.

“I want to play football and I feel like I need to play football just for my development, mentally and physically," Garcia said of his decision. “There’s nothing like live bullets and I need to play the first semester so I can get out early and be an early enrollee.”

Listening to his responses, the reasons for the move seem pretty straightforward. However, this was a tough decision for him and his family. In the wake of a global pandemic that has already hit home for the Garcias, they were left to weigh the risks.

“It’s definitely something that’s very real, my grandpa passed from COVID, but we don’t want to live in fear," Garcia explained. "We want to put it in God’s hands and it will take its course from there.”

Last weekend was his last practicing under the California sunshine. He eased through the movements, a big smile on his face and a football constantly in his hand.

“I feel uncomfortable without a football," Garcia said with a laugh. "I have a football when I go to sleep. I sleep with it on my bed.”

It's that love and passion for the game that truly motivated the decision. Garcia said if there was a chance to play safely in another state, he was going to take it.

The move is another notch on a very interesting high school football career, but one Garcia will look back on as a lesson for the future.

“I can look back on it and say that I learned something," he said. "The biggest thing about football is learning and applying it to your life.”

Valdosta will kick off its season on Sept. 5.