2021 Football Roster
Garcia, Gaige
Jersey Number 23
Gaige Garcia
- Position:
- RB
- Height:
- 5-10
- Weight:
- 215
- Class:
- First Year
- Hometown:
- Catawissa, Pa.
- High School:
- Southern Columbia (U. of Michigan)
- Major:
- Management
Bio
Why Lehigh?: “Lehigh offers top-line academics and athletics.”
As a junior (2023): Appeared in five games, starting the first four at running back… rushed for 71 yards at Merrimack (9/9)… added five catches for 34 yards… scored Lehigh’s first touchdown of the season on a seven yard reception against Villanova (9/2)… named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
As a sophomore (2022): Saw time in all 11 games, starting the final five at tailback… led Lehigh with 618 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns… rushed for 67 yards and first career touchdown at Georgetown (9/10)… rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown against Monmouth (10/1)… enjoyed career-best day at Cornell with 25 carries for 162 yards and a touchdown (10/15)… had 82-yard rush in Cornell game… had at least 40 rushing yards in all five games he started.
As a first year at Lehigh (2021): Appeared in first three games before suffering season-ending injury in Princeton game.
As a freshman (2020 at Michigan): Did not see any action.
In high school: Set state record for career rushing touchdowns (138) and total touchdowns (159)… finished with 8,232 career rushing yards and 10,429 all-purpose yards… three-time PIAA state champion… 247Sports three-star recruit… ranked No. 33 prospect in Pennsylvania… three-star prospect by ESPN… four-time first team all-state selection and two-time MaxPreps All-American… Super 16 Dream Team Offensive MVP… four-time state place winner and two-time state champion in wrestling… also four-time state medalist in track and field.
Personal: Son of Michael and Melissa Garcia… brothers Gavin, Garrett and Grady… father wrestled at Bucknell.
CAREER STATISTICS (Rushing/Receiving)
CAREER HIGHS
Rush attempts: 25, at Cornell, 10/15/22
Rush yards: 162, at Cornell, 10/15/22
Rush TD: 1, 4x, vs. Bucknell, 10/22/22
Long rush: 82 yards, at Cornell, 10/15/22
Receptions: 5, at Merrimack, 9/9/23
Receiving yards: 34, at Merrimack, 9/9/23
Receiving TD: 1, vs. Villanova, 9/2/23
Long reception: 19 yards, at Lafayette, 11/19/22
As a junior (2023): Appeared in five games, starting the first four at running back… rushed for 71 yards at Merrimack (9/9)… added five catches for 34 yards… scored Lehigh’s first touchdown of the season on a seven yard reception against Villanova (9/2)… named to Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
As a sophomore (2022): Saw time in all 11 games, starting the final five at tailback… led Lehigh with 618 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns… rushed for 67 yards and first career touchdown at Georgetown (9/10)… rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown against Monmouth (10/1)… enjoyed career-best day at Cornell with 25 carries for 162 yards and a touchdown (10/15)… had 82-yard rush in Cornell game… had at least 40 rushing yards in all five games he started.
As a first year at Lehigh (2021): Appeared in first three games before suffering season-ending injury in Princeton game.
As a freshman (2020 at Michigan): Did not see any action.
In high school: Set state record for career rushing touchdowns (138) and total touchdowns (159)… finished with 8,232 career rushing yards and 10,429 all-purpose yards… three-time PIAA state champion… 247Sports three-star recruit… ranked No. 33 prospect in Pennsylvania… three-star prospect by ESPN… four-time first team all-state selection and two-time MaxPreps All-American… Super 16 Dream Team Offensive MVP… four-time state place winner and two-time state champion in wrestling… also four-time state medalist in track and field.
Personal: Son of Michael and Melissa Garcia… brothers Gavin, Garrett and Grady… father wrestled at Bucknell.
CAREER STATISTICS (Rushing/Receiving)
| Year | Gms. | Rush | Yds. | Avg. | TD | Long | Rec. | Yds. | TD | Long |
| 2021 | 3 | 16 | 72 | 4.5 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 12 |
| 2022 | 11 | 129 | 618 | 4.8 | 4 | 82 | 11 | 70 | 0 | 19 |
| 2023 | 5 | 32 | 127 | 4.0 | 0 | 28 | 12 | 83 | 1 | 15 |
| Total | 19 | 177 | 817 | 4.6 | 4 | 82 | 26 | 170 | 1 | 19 |
CAREER HIGHS
Rush attempts: 25, at Cornell, 10/15/22
Rush yards: 162, at Cornell, 10/15/22
Rush TD: 1, 4x, vs. Bucknell, 10/22/22
Long rush: 82 yards, at Cornell, 10/15/22
Receptions: 5, at Merrimack, 9/9/23
Receiving yards: 34, at Merrimack, 9/9/23
Receiving TD: 1, vs. Villanova, 9/2/23
Long reception: 19 yards, at Lafayette, 11/19/22
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