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Tennessee climbs in recruiting rankings after adding four-star quarterback

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•03/30/23•

GrantRamey

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Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Tennessee football has its quarterback in the class of 2024. Four-star QB Jake Merklinger on Thursday announced his commitment to the Vols, picking Tennessee over Michigan State, Georgia and North Carolina, among others. 

Merklinger, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound prospect out of Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia, is a four-star prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking. He’s ranked No. 66 overall in the 2024 class and is the No. 7 quarterback in the country. He’s the No. 9 overall player in the state of Georgia.

He’s the seventh member of Tennessee’s 2024 recruiting class and, with his commitment, the Vols climbed to No. 5 in the On3 team rankings. Tennessee is now ranked No. 4 in the SEC.

Tennessee’s class entered Thursday ranked No. 9 nationally and No. 5 in the SEC with a class score of 91.89. The Vols in 2023 finished 12th in the team rankings and No. 5 in the SEC with a 91.80 class score, headlined by five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava and five-star defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs.

Tennessee Football 2024 Recruiting Class

Jake Merklinger, 6-3, 195, 4-Star QB | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 66 NATL, No. 7 QB, No. 9 GA

High School Scouting Summary

Jake Merklinger: 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.

Jonathan Echols, 6-3.5, 215, 4-Star TE (Franklin, Ga.) | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 91 NATL, No. 7 TE, No. 13 FL

High School Scouting Summary

Jonathan Echols: Do-it-all athlete who looks to best project as an EDGE prospect long-term. Played multiple positions for his high school, working as a quarterback, receiver and pass rusher/linebacker. Makes big plays in every phase. Shows high-level play speed in running down plays in pursuit as a defender. Doubles as a playmaker with the ball in his hands on offense. Tested as a plus athlete in the off-season prior to his junior season at 6-foot-3.5, 212 pounds. Transferred to IMG Academy for his junior season. Will need to hammer down a long-term position once he assimilates to the IMG program.

JJ Harrell, 6-0, 185, 4-Star WR (Sardis, Miss.) | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 86 NATL, No. 13 WR, No. 2 MS

Kaleb Beasley, 6-0, 180, 4-Star CB (Nashville, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: No. 137 NATL, No. 14 CB, No. 2 TN

Marcus Goree, 6-1, 170, 4-Star S (Cleveland, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 425 NATL, 36 S, 9 TN

Carson Gentle, 6-4, 236, 3-Star DL (Chattanooga, Tenn.) | On3 Industry Ranking: 759 NATL, 80 DL, 26 TN

Timeline: Echols was the first name in Tennessee’s 2024 recruiting class, committing to the Vols on July 4, 2022. Gentle gave the Vols two commitments for the month when he committed on July 23 and Kaleb Beasley was the third commit in the class, announcing his decision on October 21. Goree and Harrell were next in February, with Goree committing on February 18 and Harrell following on February 27.

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