Is South Carolina's Stephen Garcia Finally Ready To Put It All Together?

Immature—it’s a word that’s often been thrown around in regards to South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia. The junior certainly has faced his fair share of criticisms and critiques while manning the starting spot in Colombia.

The Tampa native came to South Carolina as one of the nation's most coveted recruits back in 2006 with likes of Florida, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma all throwing scholarships his way. He was the “gunslinger” fire thrower that was supposed to be the perfect fit for Steve Spurrier’s offense, but up until this point, Garcia has failed to live up to the early hype.

His team has failed right along with him as they’ve dwindled in mediocrity for the majority of the Spurrier era.

Garcia hasn’t been bad by any means. Statistically speaking, he was one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC in 2009. His 17-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio is respectable and his 2,862 total passing yards seems like no cause for concern.

The only problem—Garcia’s play hasn’t resulted in the wins that many were expecting.

Stephen’s play was one of the contributing reasons why his team lost five out of its last seven games last year after a 5-1 start.

He’s immature and he doesn’t focus—that’s not just what the critics were saying last year, those were coach Steve Spurrier’s sentiments this Spring. The ole ball coach challenged his quarterback and raked him over the coals in the media during the team’s Spring camp.

So has he learned his lesson? Is he finally ready to put his talent to good use?

The reports coming out of camp are encouraging. Garcia has apparently been inspired by Steve Spurrier’s very public call to arms.

He’s showed up lighter, sharper, and full of focus. No longer is he that kid who was arrested twice in his first six weeks at the school. No longer is Garcia the player that looked lost against Alabama in last year's loss.

Garcia is ready, but the leash won’t be long this year. There’s some high expectations to be met.

There’s a whole lot of talking going on right now in regards to South Carolina’s upcoming 2010 season. Many are pointing to this Gamecock team as the one that has what it takes to finally realize its potential

It’s with good reason. There’s game-changing talent at almost every end of the field. South Carolina has a true chance to rise up the ranks this season.

Whether Garcia will be there for the whole ride or not is still up in the air though. Highly touted freshman Connor Shaw has been breathing down his neck throughout camp. Spurrier will have no fear pulling the quarterback if he starts to struggle.

So it’s now up to the junior to wise up and stay focused. Garcia has to regain his head coach’s confidence early on in the season. Two tough September match ups against SEC foes Georgia and Auburn should tell us a lot about the junior’s prospects for the 2010 season.