A year ago, Phil Garcia was ready to walk away.
Devastated by his second massive knee injury in as many years and questioning his role on the team, the Arizona Wildcats' offensive tackle was at a crossroads. Garcia considered quitting the team, bypassing another round of surgery and rehabilitation, and finishing out his UA career as just a student.
"I thought, 'It's not worth it,' this and that," he said. "Stuff like that goes through your head when you're injured. But when you stick it out, though, it's worth it in the end."
In Garcia's case, things couldn't be working out better.
The Wildcats' 6-foot-7-inch, 325-pound lineman made his college debut in Arizona's 37-32 win over Oregon State last week, starting and playing every snap at left tackle.
Coaches expect Garcia, a junior transfer from Cerritos (Calif.) College, to push Mike Diaz for the permanent starting job. Diaz missed last week's game with a concussion but is expected to be healthy for the UA's Oct. 10 at Washington. The Wildcats (3-1) are idle today.
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For once, injuries don't appear to be a problem for Garcia. The Cats' tackle is fully recovered from his second reconstructive ACL surgery, one that caused him to redshirt and miss the entire 2008 season. The problems lingered well into the summer, when his body rejected the titanium screws that doctors implanted in his surgically-repaired knee.
"Now, I feel great, man," Garcia said. "I'm just trying to stay that way, God willing."
Here's everything you need to know about Garcia, 21, in his own words:
On making his UA debut against Oregon State: "It was like none other, man. It was great. It was fun. I wasn't thinking, 'Oh, it's my first time playing.' But afterwards, I thought about it. It was just unbelievable."
On whether he was nervous before the game: "Naw. Before the game, I prayed. I asked God to give me the guidance. I just calmed myself down and did the best I could.
On the differences between game and practices: "The game speed was a little more intense than practices, but a lot better."
On when he earned the coaches' trust: "Probably during that game, I guarantee you that. I know there was probably a little bit of skepticism — I hadn't played in two years — but during that game, I showed them I can play."
On his major: "I'm a religious studies major. It was a personal decision — I was torn between that and either history or humanities, but I saw that as opening my eyes to different kinds of religions and learning about them and strengthening my faith."
On other religions: "There are a lot of similarities. There are a lot good points they make about their own religions; there are a lot of good points they make about my own religion. It opens your eyes to different cultures. That's what it is: It's all basically culture.
On competing with Diaz, his roommate and best friend, for the starting job: "We're competitive … in video games, in who takes out the trash, in all that stuff. After practices, we go home and talk trash to each other. Last Sunday, he was like, 'Don't get too comfortable stealing my spot.' Stuff like that."
On whether it's a strain on their friendship: "Not at all. We know what we're about. I'm not out to hurt him. He's not out to hurt me. We're going to push each other."
On his goals for the rest of the season: "Continue being a starter, if I can. I really feel like coaches can trust me at left tackle or wherever; if not, I want to continue to be my best and contribute like I did last Saturday."
UP NEXT
• Who: Arizona at Washington
• When: Next Saturday, 7:20 p.m.
• TV: FSAZ
• Radio: 1290-AM, 107.5-FM
