Jake Merklinger Signs With Tennessee

2024 four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger (Savannah, Ga.) has signed his national letter of intent with the Tennessee Volunteers.

Early national signing day is upon us, and the Tennessee Volunteers are hoping to finish strong. They've recruited at a high rate under head coach Josh Heupel and brought in some major difference-makers in their 2023 signing class. Volunteer Country will provide readers with an in-depth breakdown of each signee.

Quarterback Jake Merklinger is the fourteenth commit to turn in their national letter of intent. He is the No. 129 player in the cycle, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings. Take a look at what the Vols are getting.

Prospect: Jake Merklinger

Projected Position: Quarterback

Vitals: 6-3 and 190 pounds

School: Calvary Day School (Savannah, Georgia)

Frame: Merklinger utilizes his long frame when breaking contain and facing oncoming rushers. He stands tall in the pocket, and his confidence in his body is evident. He isn't imposing, yet Merklinger finds ways to make plays with his physicality.

Athleticism: Not going to shock you with long speed, but his short-area quickness and burst once hitting the open field is impressive. Merklinger has sound movement mechanics, overdriving through his front knee and getting maximum explosion.

Instincts: This will be an interesting case study once he arrives on campus. Merklinger can make strong, instinctual plays for an offense, but he needs a set of rules and confines to operate in. Can Heupel and Halzle create that environment for him? It will be the question that answers a lot of his career arc.

Polish: High school offense ran a lot of twin concepts that kept his eyes frontside with a dual progression. Rarely had to come off that front concept, but when he did there was a short outlet readily available. A scheme fit for the Vols offense but a bit raw as a processor and manager.

Bottom Line: Merklinger provides competition to an already talented room. You needed a backup to push Nico Iamalavea, one that could ultimately succeed him after a presumed successful run. With the right people around him, Merklinger could certainly assume an SEC starting role down the road and make many people happy.

2024 4-star QB Jake Merklinger during an unofficial visit to Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of Jake Merklinger)

Tennessee's 2024 Recruiting Class - * denotes NLI turned in

• Jake Merklinger, QB *
• Peyton Lewis, RB *
• Mike Matthews, WR
• Braylon Harmon, WR
• Braylon Staley, WR
• Cole Harrison, 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, CB
• Kaleb Beasley, CB *
• Boo Carter, S *
• Edrees Farooq, S

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