A Legacy in the Making: Memphys Garcia Earns Elite 11 Regional Invite

Originally posted on South Carolina Gamecocks on SI
By Fisher Brewer | Last updated Jan 15, 2025 7:02 PM ET

Memphys Garcia on X

The Garcia name holds a special place in South Carolina football history, thanks to Stephen Garcia, the quarterback who led the Gamecocks to one of their most memorable victories a stunning upset over No. 1 Alabama in 2010. Now, his son, Memphys Garcia, is making his own waves in the football world.

Memphys, a class of 2026 quarterback from Lutz, Florida, recently earned a regional invite to compete in the prestigious Elite 11, an elite camp for the nation’s top high school quarterbacks. Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 170 pounds, Memphys has already drawn attention from college programs such as South Carolina, UCF, and USF, as noted on his 247Sports profile.

Blessed to receive a regional invite to compete against the best! @Stumpf_Brian @Elite11 @StephenGarcia @SpinItAthletics @SteinbrennerFB @RobRptampa @Coach_Boggs23 @PerryOrth10 @AdvancedQBCamp @CoachGoldrich @QB_CoachColeman pic.twitter.com/sQAvDKDNLZ
— Memphys Garcia (@Memphysgarcia15) January 15, 2025

Stephen Garcia’s name is forever etched in Gamecock lore, where he threw for 6,753 yards, 528 completions, and 43 touchdowns—ranking third all-time in each category for the program. His grit and determination made him a fan favorite during his time in Columbia.

Stephen was also part of the Elite 11 in 2006, competing alongside notable players such as former NFL star and current NFL backup Tyrod Taylor. After Memphys’s invite was announced, Stephen shared a photo from his time at the camp on Twitter, reflecting on the journey and the exciting opportunity now before his son.

Crazy my son is now trying to become part of this unique fraternity that is the @Elite11 Was such an amazing experience back in 2006 and @Stumpf_Brian captains a hell of an operation! Thank you and see y’all in 813!! https://t.co/jhE1BgFrCv pic.twitter.com/jtnB79O5cR
— Stephen Garcia (@StephenGarcia) January 15, 2025

While following in a parent’s footsteps can come with pressure, Memphys is taking the first steps toward building a legacy of his own. Competing at the Elite 11 regional event is a significant milestone, offering him the chance to test his skills against some of the best young quarterbacks in the country.

Though his journey is just beginning, Memphys Garcia’s potential is clear. Whether he follows his father’s path to South Carolina or forges his own, it’s safe to say that Memphys has an exciting football future ahead of him.

This article first appeared on South Carolina Gamecocks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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