MontrealAlouettes.com

MONTREAL - It turns out it pays off to attend the Alouettes’ free-agent tryouts. Just ask quarterback Stephen Garcia.

The former star pivot out of the University of South Carolina did after all impress team brass enough at the Als’ open tryout in Lachine on May 30 to earn himself a three-year deal on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old started 34 games over four seasons with the Gamecocks from 2008-2011, accumulating 7,597 passing yards to go with 47 touchdown passes to place him third all-time in both categories at the school. Under the tutelage of legendary head coach Steve Spurrier, the Florida native also completed 57.7 percent of his passes while at South Carolina.

One of the high points of his college career came in 2010 when he tossed three touchdown passes in a huge 35-21 win over the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Garcia also went on to lead his team to a SEC East title that year.

Garcia’s arm isn’t his only weapon. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder can also hurt opponents on the ground, with the shifty QB having amassed 777 rushing yards in college to go with 15 touchdowns runs.

Garcia is now one of four quarterbacks on the roster and is currently on the one-game injured list.