Tennessee QB Commit Jake Merklinger Accepts Polynesian Bowl Invite

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback commit Jake Merklinger (Savannah, Ga.) has accepted an invitation to the Polynesian Bowl after his senior season.

Tennessee will have a quarterback commit at the Polynesian Bowl for the second consecutive year. On Tuesday morning, four-star signal caller Jake Merklinger accepted an invitation to the prestigious all-star game in Honolulu, Hawaii. He will join Tennessee five-star wide receiver commit Mike Matthews at the event on January 19th, 2024.

2023 five-star quarterback signee Nico Iamaleava played in the contest last year, taking home game MVP honors after an impressive showing. Iamaleava flashed the high-end talent that made him the No. 2 prospect in America, according to 247Sports consensus rankings. Merklinger has an opportunity to make a statement as well but in a different fashion. Merklinger isn't on the radar of many on the national scene. He didn't compete at the Elite 11 Finals and is tucked away on the coast of Georgia. Despite not getting the consistent recognition that other top quarterback prospects do, Merklinger brings a lot to the table.

He throws a very runnable football. Receivers can easily track it and get underneath, shielding the defender from the catch point. Merklinger also plays mistake-free football - he's thrown two interceptions in his last 13 high school starts. He makes three-level decisions and keeps his eyes in tune with his lower body during his drop back. Teaming up with Matthews will allow him a familiar outlet, and we will see Merklinger in action on national television in a few months.

4-star QB Jake Merklinger after running in for a touchdown on October 28, 2022, in Savannah, Georgia. (Photo by Richard Burkhart of the Savannah Morning News)

Tennessee's 2024 Recruiting Class

• Jake Merklinger, QB
• Peyton Lewis, RB
• Mike Matthews, WR
• Braylon Staley, WR
• Jonathan Echols, TE
• Bennett Warren, OT
• Jesse Perry, OT
• Gage Ginther, OT
• William Satterwhite, OG
• Max Anderson, OG
• Kellen Lindstrom, DE
• Carson Gentle, DE
• Jeremias Heard, DL
• Jordan Ross, EDGE
• Edwin Spillman, ILB
• Jordan Burns, ILB
• Marcus Goree, DB
• Kaleb Beasley, CB
• Boo Carter, S
• Edrees Farooq, S

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