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Today's player is a senior that has played a lot of minutes in his career. He is one of the very few guys that Purdue is able to count on for the elusive "quality depth" at his position.
Andy James Garcia - Sr.
Hialeah, FL (Hialeah HS)
6', 223 pounds
Linebacker
2016 Projection: contributor at Linebacker
Garcia is one of the handful of players recruited by Danny Hope that is still around, as he redshirted during hope's final season. Since then he has played in every game at least as a reserve or on special teams and even started nine time s last year. Most of that was due to the injuries at linebacker to Ju'Whaun Bentley and Jimmy Herman.
Garcia has made over 50 tackles in his career, has a sack, and has also gathered an interception and a fumble recovery. He was one of the top players in Florida as a senior in high school and was first team all-Dade County in the Miami area. That is a pretty impressive honor considering the talent that comes out of Miami-Dade County.
Last season he was third on the team with 63 tackles, playing a lot more once Bentley went down. With the new defensive scheme featuring two linebackers at times his playing time may drop off, but he is a valuable reserve that will contribute.