'24 GA QB Jake Merklinger (Tennessee)

[Tennessee Golfer]

If Tennessee can land Merklinger, we have 2 scholarship QBs for 2024: Nico and Jake. I’d be selling JM on the notion of redshirting, though, so as to put 2 years between him and Nico, eligibility-wise. That way, when Nico is a true Junior, JM is a redshirt freshman. And if Nico leaves early for the NFL (likely), JM starts as a redshirt sophomore, with 3 years of eligibility remaining. If Nico stays as a senior, JM starts as a redshirt Junior with 2 years of eligibility.

Might be tough to pull off a redshirt in 2024 with only 2 QBs, but barring injury, it can be done. JM can play in 4 games in mop up duty without burning his redshirt. You could also play Gaston Moore in mop up duty, if needed, to preserve JM’s redshirt. So effectively, JM is the next man up if Nico is injured, but Moore is the next man up if you just need mop up.

Just get a one year rental if you want to try to redshirt him as your insurance policy.

 

[Go Fight Win]

What rumors on Boley?

rumor is we get our pick between GM & Cutter

 

[sjt18]

The only part of this I disagree with is targeting a redshirt sophomore year start (which based on this concept could really be redshirt junior if Milton plays well and nico also ends up redshirting his freshman year having only appeared in 4 games or less).

If I’m the recruit, I know by that spring going into redshirt sophomore year (at the very latest) whether I’m starting or not. If I don’t get that feeling the season before, I’m evaluating transfer options and not waiting to find out if the spot is mine or not. See Tayven Jackson. Point is, I’m not targeting starting 3-4 years from now unless I expect to be at a different school by then. Most who have to wait that long end up at different schools if they end up starting somewhere.

I don't think Merklinger is in the same category as Jackson. No disrespect to TJ whatsoever but he was signed as a project. Raw talent was there but not a ton of production as a QB.

Merklinger's highlights IMO jump out at you as much if not more than Nico. The arm is there. He looks like a more natural runner than Nico.

We all make lots of conjectures. But 2 or 3 years ago the discussion was about Harrison Bailey taking over. We don't know how things will go. JM could easily come in and simply take the job.

 

[cncchris33]

rumor is we get our pick between GM & Cutter

That sounds optimistic, but I certainly wouldn't bet against us landing one of the two. It sounded like you may have heard something on Boley specifically, which is why I asked.

 

[Volfan1000]

Steve Wiltfong's crystal ball predicts Merklinger to Tennessee on March 30th.

 

[cncchris33]

Steve Wiltfong's crystal ball predicts Merklinger to Tennessee on March 30th.

He just upped his confidence from 6 to 7 following a prediction from a Michigan State insider who CB’d Merklinger to Tennessee with confidence of 9.

 

[CharlestonVol15]

"No stranger to RPOs and is likely going to find the most success on Saturdays in a balanced offensive scheme that wants its quarterback to function almost like a point guard" -Andrew Ivins

This pleases me.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

rumor is we get our pick between GM & Cutter

I read the same thing on VQ

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

He just upped his confidence from 6 to 7 following a prediction from a Michigan State insider who CB’d Merklinger to Tennessee with confidence of 9.

 

[cncchris33]

I read the same thing on VQ

Any additional context or quotes?

 

[peaygolf]

rumor is we get our pick between GM & Cutter

GMac please

 

[butchna]

GMac please

Would’ve agreed a month or so ago. Now I’m good with either but leaning in preference towards Boley.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I’ll believe top 5 when I see it, but I really wouldn’t be surprised. I’m so excited

 

[onevol74]

60 years later history repeats itself. Swamp Rat 2.0.

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

GMac please

Ty Simpson says he can’t be ranked higher than me

 

[bigl3327]

GMac please

I'll reserve preference until after junior seasons are played. Someone completely new may emerge. Good problem to have.

 

[peaygolf]

I'll reserve preference until after junior seasons are played. Someone completely new may emerge. Good problem to have.

I admit that I like GM……mainly because I have seen him play numerous times.

 

[bigl3327]

I admit that I like GM……mainly because I have seen him play numerous times.

I think we need 2 QBs in '25 anyway. So hopefully Nico's little bro balls out this year and comes here as well. Unless they take a portal guy in '24 to be a potential back up for a year.

 

[ERvolsfan]

This does feel trending or expected to be “the good guys” as we say… so I would be surprised if we chose elsewhere.

Definitely a need for scholarship depth behind Nico heading into 24. I’m very interested to see his competitive spirit and drive.

As we are in deep with some premium QBs in 25. (Madden Iamaleava, George McIntyre, Cutter Boley)

Our staff is definitely going to have to recruit the right type of kids in terms of mentality, maturity, competitiveness and patience. With our offense we are going to be in on several top QBs but if we start to consistently land blue chip QBs could see a revolving door very interested to see how it’s handled.

 

[LittleVol]

Good. 2023 was a good class, but gotta be better year in and year out to compete in the SEC.

That 2023 was one of the most purely talented classes we've ever signed to Tennessee. Those rankings are skewed.

It's a Championship caliber class.

So if 2024 class can even be just equal then we are exactly where we want to be.

2023 class was more talented than the 2005 class that was ranked #1.

 

[LittleVol]

I don't think Merklinger is in the same category as Jackson. No disrespect to TJ whatsoever but he was signed as a project. Raw talent was there but not a ton of production as a QB.

Merklinger's highlights IMO jump out at you as much if not more than Nico. The arm is there. He looks like a more natural runner than Nico.

We all make lots of conjectures. But 2 or 3 years ago the discussion was about Harrison Bailey taking over. We don't know how things will go. JM could easily come in and simply take the job.

He's far more advanced than TJ was. And Jackson is a good QB.

Merklinger has really good anticipation, and throwing rhythm. Strong arm. Effortless throws.
Needs to work on his base. His feet get to far apart. It effects his accuracy sometimes. Hazle can fix that easily.

Nico is a pretty good runner. This kid is adept at running as well.
Yeah, this kid won't go quietly away for sure. It'll be a real battle.

 

[NighthawkVol]

That 2023 was one of the most purely talented classes we've ever signed to Tennessee. Those rankings are skewed.

It's a Championship caliber class.

So if 2024 class can even be just equal then we are exactly where we want to be.

2023 class was more talented than the 2005 class that was ranked #1.

Yep. Beat me to it. The rankings-fetishisers can’t fathom it, but we just signed an elite class. Just as Clemson signed elite classes ranked 10th or lower leading up to their first NC. Hell, the greatest class ever signed was that Miami class around 1999 or so that was ranked 10th or 11th nationally.

This staff can evaluate and recruit. And their evaluations are much better than those of the website nerds.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Would’ve agreed a month or so ago. Now I’m good with either but leaning in preference towards Boley.

Haven’t seen Boley’s film. How does he compare to GM? Is he faster or more athletic? Better arm?

 

[LittleVol]

I'll reserve preference until after junior seasons are played. Someone completely new may emerge. Good problem to have.

There's a kid in South Carolina at QB that's pretty good too in that class.

 

[overseasorange2]

There's a kid in South Carolina at QB that's pretty good too in that class.