One of the potential options to be Tennessee football’s starting quarterback next season is off the table. Jake Merklinger, after backing up Joey Aguilar in his redshirt freshman season, is planning on entering the transfer portal once it opens on Jan. 2, according to a report from Hayes Fawcett.
Merklinger was entrenched in a three-way quarterback competition for the starting job this fall after the departure of Nico Iamaleava in the spring transfer portal window. Ultimately, Aguilar earned the starting job and started in every game this season. Merklinger filled the role of QB2, though, ahead of true freshman George MacIntyre.
On the season, Merklinger completed 13-of-24 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw any interceptions. As a true freshman, he was the third-string option behind Iamaleava and Gaston Moore. That year, he completed 6-of-9 attempts for 48 yards, no touchdowns and no picks.
Merklinger was a four-star recruit out of high school, according to 247. He was considered the No. 212 player in the class and No. 13 quarterback in the cycle. As a member of the 2024 class who took a redshirt, he will have three years of eligibility remaining.
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This now leaves three quarterbacks in the room for the upcoming Music City Bowl vs. Illinois. Joey Aguilar has announced that he is not opting out of the game and will be the primary option. Behind him is freshmen MacIntyre and Mason Phillips.
Next season, five-star freshman Faizon Brandon will enter the mix, as well. According to 247, he is the No. 2 overall recruit and quarterback in the 2026 class, and could be a candidate to start. Other options would be looking to the transfer portal for a starter or Aguilar could win his lawsuit and be granted another year of eligibility.
Merklinger is now the sixth Vol to announce he intends to enter the transfer portal and the first offensive player. He joins defensive back Boo Carter, defensive lineman Jamal Wallace, edge rusher Kellen Lindstrom, linebacker Brenden Anes and defensive back Marcus Goree Jr. as departures.
