'24 GA QB Jake Merklinger (Tennessee)

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

Would be more interesting if his team didn’t play such a weak schedule - they need to move up to a higher division or something

It would be interesting if high school football had a promotion/relegation system like soccer.

 

[KnoxToTheBoro93]

odd thing to worry about. They're completely different style of QBs.


I am more worried about who's going to be coaching him.
I believe sometimes players can be over coached. No way in hell Nico wasn't ready to seriously contribute right out of HS. Yet he gets here early, and then gets redshirted...with how terrible Milton is??

Then when you watched him play, he held the ball too long and would just roll out and improvise.
He was never that gun shy...until Halze

It’s no way you tryna imply hazle and Heup don’t know how to coach Qbs LOL… 1 average Qb season compared to 16 great Qb seasons and all of a sudden you worried… vn never let’s me down just when I thought I heard it all… Nico will light up the score board next 2 seasons that improvise ability is exactly why.

 

[BADGER_VOL]

It’s no way you tryna imply hazle and Heup don’t know how to coach Qbs LOL… 1 average Qb season compared to 16 great Qb seasons and all of a sudden you worried… vn never let’s me down just when I thought I heard it all… Nico will light up the score board next 2 seasons that improvise ability is exactly why.

Agreed. There’s several legit things to discuss reasonably about potential flaws or weaknesses of our coach but developing QB’s is straight up absurd.

 

[volKano]

It would be interesting if high school football had a promotion/relegation system like soccer.

I wished all pro sports had that. There would be no more tanking.

 

[CheeseBings]

I wished all pro sports had that. There would be no more tanking.

They are beating competition soundly, as you hope they would. Loaded team, but Merk makes them go. This young man is a player. Legit 5* for what that matters. Doesnt camp, but doesn’t care to camp either. Basketball, lacrosse, football. Able to make plays, even when it is not “on script”. Best fit for many teams, but glad he is a Vol!

 

[kamoshika]

It was the final home game for Calvary Day senior Jake Merklinger and his classmates on Friday as the Cavaliers hosted Wesleyan in a state football quarterfinal matchup, and the Cavaliers made it count with an impressive victory to advance to the Class 3A semifinals. Calvary rallied from a seven-point deficit at the half to dominate after intermission in the 42-21 victory. The Cavs (13-0) will try to get a bit of revenge next week at Cedar Grove (8-5), which ended Calvary's season in the quarterfinals last year.

The game ended an amazing run for Merklinger at Calvary's Specialty Sports Complex. He has been the starter for the Cavs since his freshman year and has posted a career record of 45-7, with a 30-2 mark at home. The University of Tennessee commit had another memorable showing in front of the home fans as he completed 18 of 26 passes for 311 yards and touchdown tosses to classmates Caden Arnold and Michael Smith, who has committed to South Carolina. Merklinger added three touchdowns on the ground to go along with 73 yards rushing.
Savannah-area football roundup: Who joined Calvary Day in the semifinals?

Merklinger has completed 79% of his passes over the past 6 games.

 

[StoVol]

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

When will he be on campus to go through bowl practice?

 

[Glitch]

When will he be on campus to go through bowl practice?

Would be really awesome if that could happen. We maybe forget that Nico got an extra 15 practices because he was able to go through bowl prep last year. He might not have been the focus but he got a good taste before spring practices. Probably helped a lot in his overall development in Heup's system.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

When will he be on campus to go through bowl practice?

Is he an EE?

 

[Tennessee Golfer]

Is he an EE?

Yes

 

[CNeagleVolFan]

I think this guy is going to be a stud in this offense. Dude can do it all. He also reads the defense quickly and makes very accurate throws. I swear, watching him reminds me of Hendon.

 

[MemphisVol3]

I think this guy is going to be a stud in this offense. Dude can do it all. He also reads the defense quickly and makes very accurate throws. I swear, watching him reminds me of Hendon.

Yeah Merklinger is a 5-star talent in my opinion. Probably would’ve been if he’d camped or had as much “marketing” as some past 5-star QB recruits.

 

[allvolrecruiting]

Yeah Merklinger is a 5-star talent in my opinion. Probably would’ve been if he’d camped or had as much “marketing” as some past 5-star QB recruits.

He's a guy that would've benefited from camps and events for sure. Doesn't play the best comp and didn't do Elite 11 bc of lacrosse. Nonetheless, super excited to have him in the class

 

[CAVPUT]

When will he be on campus to go through bowl practice?

Better hope so. One play away from being our starter next season.

 

[LittleVol]

Better hope so. One play away from being our starter next season.

Or...he might outright be the guy come fall??

I'm very upset that Nico didn't get more run this season.
And they're even redshirting him.

He would have needed more in game experience to really create separation and be the # 1 guy.

Merklinger is an absolute baller.

 

[KnoxToTheBoro93]

Or...he might outright be the guy come fall??

I'm very upset that Nico didn't get more run this season.
And they're even redshirting him.

He would have needed more in game experience to really create separation and be the # 1 guy.

Merklinger is an absolute baller.

Lol so dramatic Nico is the guy it’s not really a debate… you must forget that Nico was the top rated Qb in the nation and is a baller with a year head start on the system… I like merk and believe he will be a really good Qb for us but Nico is for sure getting the first shot at Qb1 next season and will light it up.

 

[LittleVol]

Lol so dramatic Nico is the guy it’s not really a debate… you must forget that Nico was the top rated Qb in the nation and is a baller with a year head start on the system… I like merk and believe he will be a really good Qb for us but Nico is for sure getting the first shot at Qb1 next season and will light it up.

It can't be a debate because Merk isn't even here yet.

I could give a crap about ratings.

Jalen Hurts as a true freshman unseated a RS Freshman 5 star QB. It happens.

 

[Clevegasvol]

It can't be a debate because Merk isn't even here yet.

I could give a crap about ratings.

Jalen Hurts as a true freshman unseated a RS Freshman 5 star QB. It happens.

Nico would have to play pretty poorly for that to happen. He’s not beating him out in fall camp imo

 

[bpalmer28]

Merk probably redshirts and gets 2 years as starter after Nico gets 2 years as starter. First team in history to win back to back to back to back Heisman trophies.

 

[MemphisVol3]

<< Tennessee Vols Recruiting Forum

Merk probably redshirts and gets 2 years as starter after Nico gets 2 years as starter. First team in history to win back to back to back to back Heisman trophies.

I'll allow it.

 

[SaipanVol]

Merk probably redshirts and gets 2 years as starter after Nico gets 2 years as starter. First team in history to win back to back to back to back Heisman trophies.

Riiight.......

 

[MoB_MoVols]

Joey Halzle will head to Florida on Friday morning to IMG Academy before returning to Atlanta on Friday evening to watch Jake Merklinger's semi-final state playoff game.

-VQ

 

[StoVol]

 

[VolInDayton]

His team lost 49-42. Looks like he had multiple TD passes and a 22 yard TD run on 4th on 17.