Florida Football Recruiting: Maryland Transfer Max Garcia Picks Gators

Former Maryland offensive lineman Max Garcia has committed to Florida, according to Ryan Bartow of Rivals.com. Garcia picked Florida over Georgia, Ole Miss, Southern California and Wisconsin.

Georgia was believed to be the frontrunner for Garcia, a Norcross, Ga., native, but talks with UGA slowed down in recent days, as the tide seemed to shift in Florida's favor.

Garcia, who will have to sit out the 2012 season because of NCAA transfer rules and will be a junior once he can play his first game with Florida, started all 12 of Maryland's games last season at left tackle. Rated as a three-star offensive tackle in the Class of 2010, according to Rivals, Garcia developed into one of the most sought after transfer on the market.

Because the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Garcia will have to sit out the 2012 season, it's almost as if the Gators added another lineman to its 2013 recruiting class. However, once he's able to get on the field, he'll already be developed enough and have the experience to contribute right away.

Florida signed quality linemen in 2012 with D.J. Humphries and Jessamen Dunker, but were aiming to sign at least two more in the 2012 class. With three offensive linemen committed and UF being in great shape with two or three others in the Class of 2013, adding Garcia will go a long way in improving the Gators' depth on the offensive line.