Jake Merklinger, a quarterback from Calvary Day School in Savannah, GA, committed to Tennessee in spring 2023 as a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle. He originally chose the Vols over Georgia, Michigan State, and North Carolina.
As a high school prospect, Merklinger led Calvary Day to a 42-10 record and three consecutive region titles in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He racked up 145 career touchdowns, with 113 through the air and 32 on the ground.
“Mobile and quick enough to turn a scramble into a chunk play, but looks more times than not to win from the pocket,” 247’s Andrew Ivins wrote about Merklinger in an evaluation from early 2023. “Average arm won’t blow too many away, but can change speeds as a passer and understands how to utilize touch. Has also proven to be rather accurate on the move, at least when targeting the first or second level.”
Merklinger saw very little action during his first season on Rocky Top, playing in just two games while earning a redshirt. He was the third-string quarterback in the Vols’ 2024 QB room behind redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava and senior Gaston Moore. Merklinger did get some time on the field in clean-up duty, though, throwing for 31 yards against Chattanooga in August and 17 yards against Kent State in November. He finished his first season in Knoxville with 48 passing yards on 6-of-8 passing and 21 rushing yards on four carries.
Heading into his second season, Merklinger had an opportunity to be Tennessee’s starting quarterback for the 2025 season. With Iamaleava out the door and into the transfer portal, Merklinger was clearly tagged as a potential starter for the season. Tennessee did bring in Joey Aguilar from UCLA to compete for the spot with a veteran presence, but Josh Heupel consistently said that there would be a true quarterback battle in the fall to decide the starter.
Aguilar wound up winning that battle, but Merklinger was tasked with the second-string spot over true freshman George MacIntyre. Merklinger appeared in four games this season during contests against East Tennessee State, UAB, Arkansas, and New Mexico State. The most time he saw on the field this season was against ETSU, where he threw for 118 yards and two touchdowns on 9-of-14 passing.
More From RTI: Assessing Tennessee Football’s Quarterback Room Following Jake Merklinger’s Departure
Merklinger also threw for 57 yards against UAB, did not record a pass during a brief run against Arkansas, and threw for -2 yards against New Mexico State on one completion.
With the announcement that Merklinger is set to enter the transfer portal when it officially opens, the 6-foot-3 quarterback finishes his Tennessee tenure with 221 passing yards on 19-of-33 passing, two passing touchdowns, and 38 rushing yards on 11 carries. He played in six games during his time on Rocky Top.
For more on how Merklinger’s departure impacts Tennessee’s quarterback room for the Music City Bowl and in the future, click here.
