*****4-star QB Jake Merklinger commits to Tennessee

#101
#101
EastTNVol6240 said:
You make 0 sense. You’re basing this whole argument on an opinion that Nico will light it up and be the starter. You have 0 evidence this will happen. Remember a guy by the name of Bailey that was supposed to be our next 5 star savior? How’d that work? It doesn’t always play out. Why would we not want a few talented QBs to see who looks the best on the field?
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Well your scenario isn't sound either lol. That is exactly the plan is for Nico to ball out.

Me and a few others had concerns about Bailey. I got lit up for it.
No concerns with Nico.
Again, Nico balling out helps Merklinger.
 
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#102
#102
RockyTopTexas said:
Scholly allocation matters. I would rather have another arion carter to develop than a hs qb under a 3 year starter. Kids leave in spring. You use that that space to sign a transfer like Hendon or Joe who has experience and doesn’t need time to bring actual competition..
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Rocky T,

Did you know Bama's 1st round draft pick Qbs (Young, Tua, Jones) have exactly right at 2 seasons avg as starter?

Let's dig into this a bit. Joe Milton had about 1,000 yards and 10 tds. (He had 2 starts).
QBs get inured. We destroy a lot of teams. The back-up will always play.
in 2023 Let's say Joe stays true to the trend- 3,000 yards 30 tds (6th yr SR =gone)
- Nico also in 2023- 1,000 yards 10 tds (mop up time, and filling in for injured Milton)
2024- Nico (So) 3,000 yards 30 tds, Merklinger 1,000 yards 10 Tds
2025- Nico (Jr) 3,000 yards 30 tds, Merklinger 1,000 yards 10 tds
2026...Merklinger (Jr)...with 2 years full to be the guy, already has 2,000 career yards and 20 tds.
Nico drafted 1st round in 2026 draft with 7,000 + passing yards and 70 tds at Tennessee

This is not the same situation as Tayven Jackson. Jackson would have only ever got on the field if Nico were injured or as a 5th year senior after Nico left.
 
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#103
#103
LittleVol said:
Well your scenario isn't sound either lol. That is exactly the plan is for Nico to ball out.

Me and a few others had concerns about Bailey. I got lit up for it.
No concerns with Nico.
Again, Nico balling out helps Merklinger.
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I don’t recall giving a “scenario”. I recall stating I believe it’s best to have multiple quality athletes at each position to choose the best. None of us know if Nico will ball out or not. I sure hope he does.
 
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#104
#104
EastTNVol6240 said:
You make 0 sense. You’re basing this whole argument on an opinion that Nico will light it up and be the starter. You have 0 evidence this will happen. Remember a guy by the name of Bailey that was supposed to be our next 5 star savior? How’d that work? It doesn’t always play out. Why would we not want a few talented QBs to see who looks the best on the field?
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Correct.. I have zero concerns
And again.. a senior/grad transfer would be just fine
 
#105
#105
LittleVol said:
Rocky T,

Did you know Bama's 1st round draft pick Qbs (Young, Tua, Jones) have exactly right at 2 seasons avg as starter?

Let's dig into this a bit. Joe Milton had about 1,000 yards and 10 tds. (He had 2 starts).
QBs get inured. We destroy a lot of teams. The back-up will always play.
in 2023 Let's say Joe stays true to the trend- 3,000 yards 30 tds (6th yr SR =gone)
- Nico also in 2023- 1,000 yards 10 tds (mop up time, and filling in for injured Milton)
2024- Nico (So) 3,000 yards 30 tds, Merklinger 1,000 yards 10 Tds
2025- Nico (Jr) 3,000 yards 30 tds, Merklinger 1,000 yards 10 tds
2026...Merklinger (Jr)...with 2 years full to be the guy, already has 2,000 career yards and 20 tds.
Nico drafted 1st round in 2026 draft with 7,000 + passing yards and 70 tds at Tennessee

This is not the same situation as Tayven Jackson. Jackson would have only ever got on the field if Nico were injured or as a 5th year senior after Nico left.
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You say this like Heup won’t bring in a transfer qb like Hendon or Joe or won’t recruit an even better qb in 25’ ( which he will)
Basic stuff here y’all
 
#106
#106
OffTackleVol said:
Waste of a scholly? LMAO. No scholarship QB behind Nico after next season would be the result. And if you're going to sign one, then it should be the best player possible. You can make the argument that Merk may never play (injury, transfer, etc.) but it's no damn way it's a wasted scholarship; that's freaking hilarious.
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Hey, if uga can win back to back nattys with a guy off a lucky charms box at qb, Merk can certainly play in this league. Not the strongest arm, but the guy can play. I liked his film. And let's be honest, UT wasn't gonna get another 5 star, top 3 QB recruit in this class. You take a qb in every class and let 'em compete. Strongest will survive. I got no problem with this commitment. None whatsoever.
 
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#109
#109
tennrich1 said:
Honestly, if I'm a QB and want to display my abilities in a unique offense....I would definitely chose Vols over like a Georgia offense (and that's not a slight to Georgia) IMO. At Georgia you are more of a game manager (similar to Bama) whereas with our offense you ARE the facilitator. Again...that's just the way i see it. CLEARLY... a highly regarded QB can be successful at Georgia, but I'd want to be dictating the offense if it were me.
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I agree except for the bama part. They have flipped the script on the qb game. Mac Jones, Tua and because of his past, Hurts. These were not managers but legit QB’s. Bama used to be game manager qb factory but not recently.
 
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#110
#110
RockyTopTexas said:
You say this like Heup won’t bring in a transfer qb like Hendon or Joe or won’t recruit an even better qb in 25’ ( which he will)
Basic stuff here y’all
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It's still early, but no, Im not seeing a 2025 QB that is more talented than Merklinger.
 
#113
#113
esarmstrong said:
Don't want, he's just a four star.
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Probably be a 5 star by the time its all said and done but if not, I trust Hueple. To me its not as a big deal as it used to be because players can go where they really like (that part is telling) but if they are not the guy and its not working, the portal is their friend. So we will always see some movement and certain team will see portal guys like Hooker fall into a perfect system that fits their skill sets. So who you initially get is not as big as who you finish with JMO.
 
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#114
#114
A high 4star Top100 QB is committed. I presume there is a lucrative NIL deal involved as well. Another point of strength for our Super VOLS program to be considered. We are in a dominant position due to Heupel and staff doing it so right.

He is a .9681 4star on 24/7and Harrison Bailey was a .9555 4star. I remember Hooker was @ .94, Nico .9981

If Nico manages to redshirt in 2023 and Jake Merklinger manages to redshirt in 2024, things could set up nicely for Merklinger.

Nico could live up to his potential and go pro after his junior year. Merklinger would be in prime position to start for 2(outside chance of 3) seasons.
I would think an NIL deal would be designed to hold him over until his opportunity comes to shine.

Him signing shows a tremendous perception of foundational strength for this program.
 
#115
#115
This could turn out to be a GREAT pickup for us.

In the always brutal SEC, on any given snap, we could lose our QB for the rest of the season just like what happened to Hooker.

It's not that we need a 2nd high quality QB but with the high powered O that we run it's a we MUST HAVE another high quality backup QB that can step right in and keep our O running at a high level just like Milton had to do.

Our newest QB commit IS a high quality 4* guy with all the things our HC is looking for so I say we're lucky to get him.

Hats off to all our staff and any players that helped bring this guy om!!!

WELCOME to Big Orange country young man!

We're all looking forward to watching you learn, grow and play some great football for our footVOL Team!!!

VFL...GBO!!!
 
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#116
#116
Titan&Volfan4life said:
This could turn out to be a GREAT pickup for us.

In the always brutal SEC, on any given snap, we could lose our QB for the rest of the season just like what happened to Hooker.

It's not that we need a 2nd high quality QB but with the high powered O that we run it's a we MUST HAVE another high quality backup QB that can step right in and keep our O running at a high level just like Milton had to do.

Our newest QB commit IS a high quality 4* guy with all the things our HC is looking for so I say we're lucky to get him.

Hats off to all our staff and any players that helped bring this guy om!!!

WELCOME to Big Orange country young man!

We're all looking forward to watching you learn, grow and play some great football for our footVOL Team!!!

VFL...GBO!!!
Click to expand...
GBO!
 
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#117
#117
GUNTERSVOL said:
He is proving you wrong. Allusions of grandeur have been an issue forever. Arrogance, real or fake is rarely a positive, nor factually supported.
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Yeah I was mistaken. Just a moronic take by the guy. Right now this kid looks to be the back up to Nico as soon as he steps foot on campus. You have to have a decent back up in this conference and he has the upside to be more than that.
 
#118
#118
barknoxbrawler said:
I agree except for the bama part. They have flipped the script on the qb game. Mac Jones, Tua and because of his past, Hurts. These were not managers but legit QB’s. Bama used to be game manager qb factory but not recently.
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Yeah…I guess that’s part of my point. An athletic, playmaker QB can STILL have a high level of success in those Offenses but with our O the QB MUST be a dynamic playmaker IMO which I love. It’s just a much more exciting brand of football. Of course all that’s by design so it’s not bad either way. I think as we continue to recruit at such a high level, creating spacing and mismatches will be at a premium. Future looks exciting for sure.
 
#119
#119
I think he ends up being an EE and he will be right beside the competition in the Spring. All of us that have played sports know when you are up against somebody that is (1)ether so gifted you really can't compete or(2) you know I right with this guy this could go either way or (3)man I'm just better than this guy work hard and the QB1 is mine.
If its (1) the guy probably portals he could stay if he's willing to wait 2 years and get the system down and still worry about not get recruited over.
 
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