'24 GA QB Jake Merklinger (Tennessee)

[Volunteer_Kirby]

Dude played against garbage comp (half the schools on schedule are inner-city schools), didn't really camp but once, now we're finally seeing the very FIRST reports of him playing against above average competition at the Polynesian bowl.

And we're already hearing he's THAT QB or he's "so underrated" or "completely overlooked". From 1 practice report.

Some of yall are batsh!t.

 

[Volinnooga]

Well the fan base generates the revenue that keeps the said program going. That being said. What he thought put a mediocre product on the field. The team didn’t win anything meaningful. Go walk it off tough girl.

So a coach needs to poll the fan base to see who should be playing since "the fan base generates the revenue that keeps said program going".

May be one of the more interesting (??) concepts ever on VN. That's just dumb.

 

[CAVPUT]

Dude played against garbage comp (half the schools on schedule are inner-city schools), didn't really camp but once, now we're finally seeing the very FIRST reports of him playing against above average competition at the Polynesian bowl.

And we're already hearing he's THAT QB or he's "so underrated" or "completely overlooked". From 1 practice report.

Some of yall are batsh!t.

Welp, the shoe fits me so I'll wear it.

 

[LittleVol]

Gotta be honest. This is just the type of kid who becomes THAT qb. The one folks just overlook due to the focus on the 5 stars only see him blossom and get invites to the heistman ceremony. Being on UT's rosters completely eliminates him from winning of course. I keep seeing nothing but great things about this kid, but for some reason, he just doesn't excite folks. The more I read about him, the more comfortable I am with the thought of him being Nico's backup. One thing is certain tho...he needs to get here for spring and be a sponge. Odds are that he'll end up being needed at some point next season.

He was dressed up for the Iowa game.

 

[volamite86]

Dude played against garbage comp (half the schools on schedule are inner-city schools), didn't really camp but once, now we're finally seeing the very FIRST reports of him playing against above average competition at the Polynesian bowl.

And we're already hearing he's THAT QB or he's "so underrated" or "completely overlooked". From 1 practice report.

Some of yall are batsh!t.

Ok

 

[Volfan39]

Dude played against garbage comp (half the schools on schedule are inner-city schools), didn't really camp but once, now we're finally seeing the very FIRST reports of him playing against above average competition at the Polynesian bowl.

And we're already hearing he's THAT QB or he's "so underrated" or "completely overlooked". From 1 practice report.

Some of yall are batsh!t.

Do you have a personal issue with the kid?

 

[LittleVol]

He’s a great player but let’s pump the brakes a little ha

Why? Seriously why?

You realize they're only one class from each other right?

I haven't said anything outlandish.

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

Dude played against garbage comp (half the schools on schedule are inner-city schools), didn't really camp but once, now we're finally seeing the very FIRST reports of him playing against above average competition at the Polynesian bowl.

And we're already hearing he's THAT QB or he's "so underrated" or "completely overlooked". From 1 practice report.

Some of yall are batsh!t.

Is he sleeping with your daughter?

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

Why? Seriously why?

You realize they're only once class from each other right?

I haven't said anything outlandish.

Most of your posts are outlandish. Or "I know more than everyone" ish

 

[Volunteer_Kirby]

He's high ranked despite poor HS competition and despite not hitting the camping circuit as much as his peers. Doesn't make him underrated, overlooked, or anything like that. At this point the best we have to go off is this upcoming Polynesian bowl and the practices leading up.

This is not a case of a hating on a croot. Some of yall are just being silly, seeing things that aren't there.

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

Why? Seriously why?

You realize they're only once class from each other right?

I haven't said anything outlandish.

You said Nico needs to watch himself essentially and improve. Nico doesn’t have to watch out for anyone. He will be one of the top QBs in the nation next year and a freshmen isn’t going to come in and take that from him. Nico is a first round talent QB. He has nothing to worry about.

 

[MarcoVol]

You said Nico needs to watch himself essentially and improve. Nico doesn’t have to watch out for anyone. He will be one of the top QBs in the nation next year and a freshmen isn’t going to come in and take that from him. Nico is a first round talent QB. He has nothing to worry about.

While I agree, what he said isn’t that controversial….or insightful for that matter.

Every player has to improve to keep from losing their spot to someone else. It was like a fortune teller level of a comment.

 

[T2P_Priceless]

View attachment 610653

Strong Arm on this kid to throw hit 69 yards. Didn’t expect that

Could have thrown it 80 yards but wanted to 69

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

While I agree, what he said isn’t that controversial….or insightful for that matter.

Every player has to improve to keep from losing their spot to someone else. It was like a fortune teller level of a comment.

Not with this staff, Nico has zero to worry about.

They gave Joe the whole year with an 8 million dollar arm sitting the bench. Lol.

They are loyal.

 

[LittleVol]

Most of your posts are outlandish. Or "I know more than everyone" ish

You can think that if you want.

But what about THIS post??

Stay on subject, officer.

 

[LittleVol]

You said Nico needs to watch himself essentially and improve. Nico doesn’t have to watch out for anyone. He will be one of the top QBs in the nation next year and a freshmen isn’t going to come in and take that from him. Nico is a first round talent QB. He has nothing to worry about.

If Nico honestly felt that way himself, then he has bigger problems than a real QB competition.

It's crazy how people dismiss Merklinger.

People are already talking about GMac taking over for Nico when he leaves.
Merklinger is a Top 15 player in 2024 imo.

You put him on that same Brentwood Academy team that GMac was on and they're probably winning State.

 

[LittleVol]

While I agree, what he said isn’t that controversial….or insightful for that matter.

Every player has to improve to keep from losing their spot to someone else. It was like a fortune teller level of a comment.

Thanks for the back handed compliment.

Specifically, Merklinger seems to be able to read the defense quicker.
Nico ran way too much against Iowa, because he wasn't comfortable with what he was seeing.

 

[LittleVol]

Not with this staff, Nico has zero to worry about.

They gave Joe the whole year with an 8 million dollar arm sitting the bench. Lol.

They are loyal.

That's a fair argument.

Because I think Nico should have played way more, and be further ahead than he is, but the loyalty towards veterans and trust of his own process kept Nico sidelined longer than he should have been

 

[LittleVol]

Could have thrown it 80 yards but wanted to 69

....

(Sigh)

 

[Smyrna ATL Vol]

If Nico honestly felt that way himself, then he has bigger problems than a real QB competition.

It's crazy how people dismiss Merklinger.

People are already talking about GMac taking over for Nico when he leaves.
Merklinger is a Top 15 player in 2024 imo.

You put him on that same Brentwood Academy team that GMac was on and they're probably winning State.

Not dismissing him at all.

He will be our backup for the entire year.

If they didn’t trust him to come in and be a contributor, then they would add a portal player.

Nico is a generational talent and Merk isn’t beating him out. But he will get his shot soon enough.

 

[LittleVol]

Not dismissing him at all.

He will be our backup for the entire year.

If they didn’t trust him to come in and be a contributor, then they would add a portal player.

Nico is a generational talent and Merk isn’t beating him out. But he will get his shot soon enough.

No portal player because of Nico. Unless he just wanted to sit.

Merklinger will be the backup and have the ability to RS, if Nico stays healthy.

You're right. Spring is right around the corner, and I'm just saying, that I think Jake is an exceptional player that will at the very least keep Nico on his toes. If not create whispers of controversy lol

 

[StoVol]

Thanks for the back handed compliment.

Specifically, Merklinger seems to be able to read the defense quicker.
Nico ran way too much against Iowa, because he wasn't comfortable with what he was seeing.

He knew Dayne and Lampley and Lane gave a max 1.5 seconds to his continued health

 

[NighthawkVol]

He knew Dayne and Lampley and Lane gave a max 1.5 seconds to his continued health

The interior guys played pretty well. The Tackles were the problem.

 

[Franklin_Vol09]

Serious question how is he underrated? Polynesian bowl practice just started and he played garbage competition. Legitimately curious.

The throwing motion is high and quicker than most in highschool. He has great touch and far harsh drive on the football. Within the system he played, was able to read the defense as well as throw open receivers.

If you think his competition sucked, then you have to think his WRs are on the same level as well and he made them look all state.

That’s my observation. Again, it all depends on how he can process the college speed but that is a question mark on every high school QB.

Within our offense, Merk looks like a potential stud to me.

 

[AllThingsTN]

The interior guys played pretty well. The Tackles were the problem.

The tackles were poor but Ollie wasn’t good either.