Revisiting the recruitments of Tennessee QBs Jake Merklinger, George MacIntyre

The Nico Iamaleava era is officially over at Tennessee. After a spring practice hold out ahead of the Orange and White Game, Josh Heupel told his team on Saturday morning the program was moving on from the former No. 1 recruit. 

The expectation heading into Saturday’s spring game was that Iamaleava would not participate amidst a contract hold out. 

The on-field spotlight was already pointed toward freshman-RS Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre. Now, it magnifies even more. 

Ahead of the annual spring game, we revisit their recruitment and high school career. 

Jake Merklinger Class of 2024

Merklinger quickly turned into one of the top names in the class after a stellar junior season at Calvary Day in Savannah, GA. A multi-sport standout, Merklinger turned into one of the most talked about quarterbacks in the Southeast entering the spring of 2023. 

Georgia, Michigan State and North Carolina, along with Tennessee, were among the schools in frequent contact with him. 

After a tour of visits to each school in March, Merklinger was committed to Tennessee before the calendar turned to April. 

As a recruit, he never took another visit to a school other than Tennessee after that point. 

The following season, Merklinger was lights out as a passer in his final prep season. He threw for 3,028 yards and 38 touchdowns to just two interceptions, while rushing for another 400 yards and 11 scores. 

“I think he has a case as the most efficient high school quarterback of this group,” On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power said in December of 2023. “He is a different prospect from Nico, right? He is not going to blow you away physically, but he has really good timing. The game move slows for him. I think he is a really sound decision-maker. I think if you look at the stats and production, he was over 13 yards an attempt as a senior. I think he had 38 touchdowns to two picks. Just extremely efficient, and he is doing it by making chunk throws down the field. He is not a guy who had a bunch of padded stats from a quick-game perspective. He is throwing the ball down the field with timing and accuracy. I think there is a place for guys like that in Josh Heupel’s scheme. I think as you surround him with playmakers, he is a guy who can come in and play well.”

Merklinger signed with Tennessee in December of 2023 and enrolled in January of 2024. He was ranked as the No. 201 overall prospect and No. 12 QB in the class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

George MacIntyre class of 2025

MacIntyre started receiving significant college interest after his sophomore season at Brentwood Academy. 

Tennessee prioritized him from the early stages and it paid dividends as MacIntyre made an early commitment to the Vols in January  of 2024. 

He held over 30 P4 offers, but his recruitment ultimately came down to Alabama, LSU and Tennessee. 

His desire to play in-state for the Vols won out in the end, and much like Merklinger, MacIntyre never visited another school after his commitment announcement. 

MacIntyre’s senior season stats are not available, but as a junior, he completed 285 of 423 pass attempts (67.3%) for 3,229 yards with 25 TD and 12 INT. 

MacIntyre finished the cycle ranked as the No. 192 overall prospect and No. 15 QB, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.

On3 Scouting Report — George MacIntyre

George MacIntyre- Tall signal caller with strong projectable tools as a passer and playmaker. Measured in at around 6-foot-5.5, 185 pounds with a 9.25-inch hand prior to his junior season. Has a tall, wiry build that should continue to fill out over time. Touts a tight, compact throwing motion with little moving parts. The release is whippy quick. Flashes good arm strength, with the ability to flick passes out to the boundary and downfield. Mechanical foundation points to a baseline level of accuracy. A bouncy, light-footed mover within the pocket. Avoids pressure in the backfield, stepping up in the pocket. Capable of making high-level second-reaction plays. Has strong improvisational skills. Shows a long stride in the open field. Doubles as a high-level high school basketball player and received high major looks as an underclassman. Plays a tough schedule, but does not have the production or efficiency typical of an elite quarterback prospect. High school team struggled in his junior season. Will need to continue making strides as a player on Friday night and adding weight to his frame, but has the potential to be one of the top quarterbacks to come out of the 2025 cycle.