'24 GA QB Jake Merklinger (Tennessee)

#901
#901
The Cavs saw their special season come to an end as Cedar Grove edged Calvary 49-42 in an unforgettable battle. Trailing 14-7 at the half, the Cavalier offense scored on all five of their possessions in the second half to give Cedar Grove all it could handle...Merklinger and his teammates left it all on the field in an amazing effort. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 275 yards and five touchdowns and ran for a rugged 22 yard score with 4:16 left to cut the Saint lead to 42-35.

...Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and tight ends coach Alec Abeln were on the sideline to support Merklinger and came away impressed with a performance that showed Merklinger's heart.

"It's tough to lose a game like this, but I'm super proud of how we played tonight," Merklinger said. "I'm grateful for my four years at Calvary and everything my coaches, teammates and the fans have done to support me and my teammates. These guys are my best friends; we're a brotherhood, and we played with effort and toughness in our last game — that's all you can ask for."
How Jake Merklinger and Calvary went down fighting in an epic playoff loss to Cedar Grove
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BarrythesnoUT, HeadVol77, 85SugarVol and 11 others
#902
#902
kamoshika said:
The Cavs saw their special season come to an end as Cedar Grove edged Calvary 49-42 in an unforgettable battle. Trailing 14-7 at the half, the Cavalier offense scored on all five of their possessions in the second half to give Cedar Grove all it could handle...Merklinger and his teammates left it all on the field in an amazing effort. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 275 yards and five touchdowns and ran for a rugged 22 yard score with 4:16 left to cut the Saint lead to 42-35.

...Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and tight ends coach Alec Abeln were on the sideline to support Merklinger and came away impressed with a performance that showed Merklinger's heart.

"It's tough to lose a game like this, but I'm super proud of how we played tonight," Merklinger said. "I'm grateful for my four years at Calvary and everything my coaches, teammates and the fans have done to support me and my teammates. These guys are my best friends; we're a brotherhood, and we played with effort and toughness in our last game — that's all you can ask for."
How Jake Merklinger and Calvary went down fighting in an epic playoff loss to Cedar Grove
Click to expand...
He has the talent, attitude, and leadership of what you want in your QB1. I really think he’s going to be special.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TN-POSSUM, Cbateman7606, Smokey19rt and 2 others
#903
#903
kamoshika said:
The Cavs saw their special season come to an end as Cedar Grove edged Calvary 49-42 in an unforgettable battle. Trailing 14-7 at the half, the Cavalier offense scored on all five of their possessions in the second half to give Cedar Grove all it could handle...Merklinger and his teammates left it all on the field in an amazing effort. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 275 yards and five touchdowns and ran for a rugged 22 yard score with 4:16 left to cut the Saint lead to 42-35.

...Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and tight ends coach Alec Abeln were on the sideline to support Merklinger and came away impressed with a performance that showed Merklinger's heart.

"It's tough to lose a game like this, but I'm super proud of how we played tonight," Merklinger said. "I'm grateful for my four years at Calvary and everything my coaches, teammates and the fans have done to support me and my teammates. These guys are my best friends; we're a brotherhood, and we played with effort and toughness in our last game — that's all you can ask for."
How Jake Merklinger and Calvary went down fighting in an epic playoff loss to Cedar Grove
Click to expand...
Good looking QB. Hope he's extremely bright. Is he able to enroll early? Got a feeling he's gonna see a lot more playing time early than Nico did.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Smokey19rt
#904
#904
kamoshika said:
The Cavs saw their special season come to an end as Cedar Grove edged Calvary 49-42 in an unforgettable battle. Trailing 14-7 at the half, the Cavalier offense scored on all five of their possessions in the second half to give Cedar Grove all it could handle...Merklinger and his teammates left it all on the field in an amazing effort. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 275 yards and five touchdowns and ran for a rugged 22 yard score with 4:16 left to cut the Saint lead to 42-35.

...Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and tight ends coach Alec Abeln were on the sideline to support Merklinger and came away impressed with a performance that showed Merklinger's heart.

"It's tough to lose a game like this, but I'm super proud of how we played tonight," Merklinger said. "I'm grateful for my four years at Calvary and everything my coaches, teammates and the fans have done to support me and my teammates. These guys are my best friends; we're a brotherhood, and we played with effort and toughness in our last game — that's all you can ask for."
How Jake Merklinger and Calvary went down fighting in an epic playoff loss to Cedar Grove
Click to expand...
As soon as Nico goes to the NFL....
tony-romo-terrell-owens.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: HeadVol77, Smyrna ATL Vol, TN-POSSUM and 3 others
#909
#909
volfan411 said:
Why wouldn’t I be?? If Nico is given the job without competition has he earned it?? That is the problem with this generation they believe everything should be given and not earned.
Click to expand...

Lol how would any of us even know whether or not someone has earned it? Anyone attending practices and meetings?

What a silly comment.
 
  • Like
Reactions: knoxvol52, BigOrangeTrain, Leeleesteeth and 6 others
#910
#910
MarcoVol said:
Lol how would any of us even know whether or not someone has earned it? Anyone attending practices and meetings?

What a silly comment.
Click to expand...
My point is for those that are assuming Nico will be the starting QB next year. What has he done to show anyone on this board that he should be the starter next year?

If CJH announces him the starter before spring I trust him but for those assuming he is the starter on here are foolish.
 
#911
#911
volfan411 said:
My point is for those that are assuming Nico will be the starting QB next year. What has he done to show anyone on this board that he should be the starter next year?

If CJH announces him the starter before spring I trust him but for those assuming he is the starter on here are foolish.
Click to expand...

Nico will be the starter.

Zero of us will know if he earned it or not.

It will have nothing to do with what anyone on here has seen in his very limited action.
 
  • Like
Reactions: knoxvol52, DarthVol1 and Glitch
#912
#912
kamoshika said:
The Cavs saw their special season come to an end as Cedar Grove edged Calvary 49-42 in an unforgettable battle. Trailing 14-7 at the half, the Cavalier offense scored on all five of their possessions in the second half to give Cedar Grove all it could handle...Merklinger and his teammates left it all on the field in an amazing effort. He completed 21 of 29 passes for 275 yards and five touchdowns and ran for a rugged 22 yard score with 4:16 left to cut the Saint lead to 42-35.

...Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and tight ends coach Alec Abeln were on the sideline to support Merklinger and came away impressed with a performance that showed Merklinger's heart.

"It's tough to lose a game like this, but I'm super proud of how we played tonight," Merklinger said. "I'm grateful for my four years at Calvary and everything my coaches, teammates and the fans have done to support me and my teammates. These guys are my best friends; we're a brotherhood, and we played with effort and toughness in our last game — that's all you can ask for."
How Jake Merklinger and Calvary went down fighting in an epic playoff loss to Cedar Grove
Click to expand...
@BigOrangeTrain ....

Did you read this?

Do you still think MacIntyre and Madden are tougher than this kid??
 
#913
#913
volfan411 said:
Hopefully this kid is given a shot next year. Anointing Nico the starter without competition will not get the best out of him IMO.
Click to expand...
I was (still am) on the Nico train.

I WAS THE FIRST TO SAY HE WAS THE NUMBER PLAYER IN AMERICA BEFORE HIS SENIOR YEAR EVEN STARTED 🙄!! (y'all forget so easily)

ME!!

I SAID THAT ABOUT NICO.

AND I'm telling you all...Nico needs to improve in a hurry if he's going to beat this kid out spring - fall.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PKT_VOL, volfan411 and CheeseBings
#914
#914
angry-little-girl-annoyed.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: knoxvol52, LouderVol, LaagerVol and 9 others
#915
#915
LittleVol said:
I was (still am) on the Nico train.

I WAS THE FIRST TO SAY HE WAS THE NUMBER PLAYER IN AMERICA BEFORE HIS SENIOR YEAR EVEN STARTED 🙄!! (y'all forget so easily)

ME!!

I SAID THAT ABOUT NICO.

AND I'm telling you all...Nico needs to improve in a hurry if he's going to beat this kid out spring - fall.
Click to expand...
I MEAN, YOU ARE EASY TO FORGET.
 
#916
#916
volfan411 said:
My point is for those that are assuming Nico will be the starting QB next year. What has he done to show anyone on this board that he should be the starter next year?

If CJH announces him the starter before spring I trust him but for those assuming he is the starter on here are foolish.
Click to expand...
Besides making plays ? You can see the talent Nico has if you know what you are looking at. Ball has zip, quick release, he moves in the pocket and has play making ability with his legs. So far Nico has looked very good in his limited snaps. None of this is a knock on Merk he could come in and win the job. Not probable but the guy is talented enoughand should probably be a 5 star
 
  • Like
Reactions: JacketVol
#917
#917
LittleVol said:
I was (still am) on the Nico train.

I WAS THE FIRST TO SAY HE WAS THE NUMBER PLAYER IN AMERICA BEFORE HIS SENIOR YEAR EVEN STARTED 🙄!! (y'all forget so easily)

ME!!

I SAID THAT ABOUT NICO.

AND I'm telling you all...Nico needs to improve in a hurry if he's going to beat this kid out spring - fall.
Click to expand...
I agree with you but there are a lot of posters on here who will not listen.
 
#918
#918
BigALWiLson said:
Besides making plays ? You can see the talent Nico has if you know what you are looking at. Ball has zip, quick release, he moves in the pocket and has play making ability with his legs. So far Nico has looked very good in his limited snaps. None of this is a knock on Merk he could come in and win the job. Not probable but the guy is talented enoughand should probably be a 5 star
Click to expand...
Look I am not knocking Nico and agree he looked good in the limited time we saw him but I wouldn’t bet against this kid beating him out.
 
#919
#919
The competition this spring, summer, and fall should be open and fair. If this kid beats Nico out, so be it.

Anointing Nico does UT and Nico no favors. If this kid is better, playing a worse QB hurts UT. If Nico is better, anointing him vs having a true competition robs Nico of a chance to improve via a legit competition.

One thing to keep in mind this off-season is the dynamic of the practice hero vs the gamer. It's been established Milton was quite the practice hero, while Hooker struggled more in practice but played better in games. In shirt, we won't know this kid's gamer status until he's given opportunities in the fall.
 
  • Like
Reactions: yoyoyoyo and volfan411
#921
#921
PKT_VOL said:
The competition this spring, summer, and fall should be open and fair. If this kid beats Nico out, so be it.

Anointing Nico does UT and Nico no favors. If this kid is better, playing a worse QB hurts UT. If Nico is better, anointing him vs having a true competition robs Nico of a chance to improve via a legit competition.

One thing to keep in mind this off-season is the dynamic of the practice hero vs the gamer. It's been established Milton was quite the practice hero, while Hooker struggled more in practice but played better in games. In shirt, we won't know this kid's gamer status until he's given opportunities in the fall.
Click to expand...
^^^THIS IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SAY^^^^
 
#923
#923
volfan411 said:
My point is for those that are assuming Nico will be the starting QB next year. What has he done to show anyone on this board that he should be the starter next year?

If CJH announces him the starter before spring I trust him but for those assuming he is the starter on here are foolish.
Click to expand...
He’ll have a competition but Nico likely is the starter. Has a full early enrollment and season head start on the playbook and experience.
 
  • Like
Reactions: InVOLuntary and Volinnooga
#924
#924
There will be a competition with Nico getting the nod if it’s remotely close. He has a year more experience with the system and should win out by a good margin. To even act like they won’t be evaluated is ridiculous but 99% Nico starts and 99% chance he will be better next year. Hopefully both play well and up in the NFL but having Merk sit and learn for a couple years is ideal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: knoxvol52, InVOLuntary, LaagerVol and 2 others
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top