Jake Merklinger Schedules Tennessee Visit
The quarterback calendar is heating up for Tennessee. The top uncommitted signal callers will likely opt to commit before their senior season, allowing them to focus on their final year while recruiting others to the program of their choice.
Quarterback Jake Merklinger is one of the top uncommitted quarterbacks in the 2024 class. He had a fantastic season for Cavalry Day School in Savannah, Georgia. The Cavaliers went 11-1, making it to the Elite 8 of the state playoffs behind Merklinger's big-play ability.
He confirmed to On3's Chad Simmons that he has schedule four visit dates this spring. Merklinger will visit UNC on March 4 before taking a long trip to East Lansing, Michigan, to visit the Michigan State Spartans on March 17.
He returns to Athens the following day to visit the Georgia Bulldogs, the two-time defending national champions. Finally, Merklinger will make a four hour trip to Knoxville to see Tennessee and head coach Josh Heupel.
Heupel and Merklinger have cultivated a strong relationship the past few months. Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle has made a strong impression on Merklinger, a strong sign for Tennessee's future recruiting plans at the quarterback position.
The Volunteers have been largely uninterested in the 2024 quarterback class. Merklinger and North Carolina quarterback Jadyn Davis are two takes for the coaching staff, but it seems they are pushing their chips in on the 2025 class.
Merklinger's high school offense was quite impressive. They ran a strong system that primarily featured South Carolina tight end commit Michael Smith, who included Tennessee in his top eight.
It sounds like unofficial visits will be crucial for Merklinger's recruiting timeline. He will likely take official visits later in the process, but is gauging the recruiting landscape before making a decision.
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