Tennessee football will be without its second-string quarterback for the upcoming Music City Bowl and beyond. Redshirt-freshman Jake Merklinger made the decision to transfer out of the program on Wednesday morning after two seasons with the Vols.
On Thursday, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel met with the media. He was asked about Merklinger’s decision to move on after not winning the job over Joey Aguilar ahead of the season.
“I think it’s like your entire roster where there are moving pieces,” Heupel said. “And Jake made a choice that he felt like was right for him and we support him. Jake has been a great teammate while he has been here and grown and competed. Obviously, George (MacIntyre) will be the number two here going into the bowl game. And then as we finish that up and (Merklinger) enters the portal, with everything that’s going on with Joey and all those pieces, we’ll look to put that room in a position to help us go compete for a championship.”
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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.
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.
