On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Tennessee trending heavily with QB Jake Merklinger

Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day School four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger is ready to make his college commitment.

On Tuesday, he announced that he is down to four schools and will commit to one of them later this week on March 30. Georgia, Michigan State, North Carolina, and Tennessee have long been among the contenders in his recruitment, with each making a strong impression on him in recent months.

But one team is trending heavily in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine just a few days ahead of his commitment. Tennessee currently holds an 87.8 percent chance of landing Merklinger, while Michigan State, Georgia and others trail far behind. That comes after an expert pick in the Vols’ favor from On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons on Monday.

“Tennessee has made Merklinger a major priority in this class, and he loves the development of quarterbacks under head coach Josh Heupel,” Simmons wrote. “The Volunteers have a lot of momentum on the recruiting trail and the field after last season, and they’re trending up for Merklinger. I’ve logged a pick in Tennessee’s favor.”

Michigan State is considered to be the Vols’ biggest competition, but the relationships that Merklinger has developed with Tennessee’s coaching staff are a step above anywhere else.

“I feel like they’re phenomenal,” Merklinger told On3’s Sam Spiegelman of the Volunteers earlier this spring. “I know they’ll win whether I’m there or not. Coach Heupel and Coach Halzle are consistent with me. I really like those guys and I wanna be around the guys and the coaches more.”

Merklinger was named the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year by the Savannah Quarterback Club. He threw for 1,987 yards with 32 touchdowns and just two interceptions and ran for 283 yards and four more scores to earn Region 3-3A Player of the Year honors.

Jake Merklinger Recruiting Profile

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Merklinger is the No. 66 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the country’s No. 7 quarterback and the No. 9 recruit in Georgia.

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about Merklinger as a prospect:

“Accurate, mobile passer with a strong feel for the game early on in his high school career. Among the more accurate top quarterbacks in the 2024 cycle, completing over 70 percent of his passes as a sophomore. Comfortable navigating the pocket. Sees the field well, finding open receivers while under pressure. Shows the ability to quickly react and escape from pass rushers.

… Functional mobility both in and out of the pocket is among the best among top 2024 quarterbacks at this juncture. Can pick up chunks of yards with his legs on designed runs and scrambles. Has shown a good arm to this point, but can continue improving his velocity as he gets stronger, in addition to tightening his release. A multi-sport athlete who also plays basketball and lacrosse.”