2024 Football Roster
Roster
Merklinger, Jake
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Jersey Number 12
Jake Merklinger
- Position:
- QB
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-3 / 215
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Savannah, Ga.
- High School:
- Calvary Day
Bio
CAREER
Talented young quarterback who put up prolific passing numbers during his prep career in Georgia ... Served as the Vols’ third-string quarterback during his true freshman season in 2024 … Played in two career games.2025 – RS-FRESHMAN
Did not see action in the season opener vs. Syracuse (8/30).2024 – FRESHMAN
Served as Tennessee’s third-string quarterback during his first season on campus … Went through spring ball and earned a redshirt … Played in two games and was 6-of-9 for 48 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions … Saw action in blowout win vs. Kent State (9/14), completing two passes for 17 yards, while adding 21 rushing yards on four carries ... Made his UT debut on his 19th birthday and completed four-straight passes for 31 yards in the fourth quarter of UT’s season opener vs. Chattanooga (8/31).HIGH SCHOOL & PERSONAL
A consensus four-star recruit by all four major recruiting services … Rated a top-300 player nationally by Rivals (No. 80), ESPN (No. 185) and 247Sports (No. 211) … Tabbed a top-25 quarterback prospect by all major recruiting services, coming in as high as No. 6 by Rivals … Also ranked a top-40 player in the state of Georgia by all four recruiting services … A four-year starter at Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia, who finished his prep career with an impressive 42-10 record and 145 total touchdowns (113 passing, 32 rushing) … Led the Cavaliers to three consecutive region titles (2021, 2022, 2023) … Winner of the 43rd Michael Finocchiaro Memorial Outstanding Football Player Award as a senior, which is presented to the top high school player in Savannah, after leading Calvary Day to an undefeated regular season, a 13-1 overall record and a trip to the Georgia Class 3A state semifinals … Put forth a valiant effort in state semifinal loss to Cedar Grove, completing 21 of 29 passes for 275 yards and accounting for six total touchdowns (five passing) … Finished his senior season with 3,028 passing yards, 38 touchdown passes and just two interceptions to go along with 450 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground … Garnered numerous accolades following an impressive junior campaign, earning a spot on the Georgia Class 3A All-State team and earning Region 3-3A Player of the Year honors as well as being named the Offensive Player of the Year by the Savannah Quarterback Club … Was also named the 2022 Georgia Ports Boys Athlete of the Year and was the recipient of the 70th Ashley Dearing Award as the most versatile male high school athlete in Savannah … Passed for 1,987 yards with 32 touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 283 yards and four scores on the ground in 2022 … Was a Class A Private All-State honorable mention selection and named the Region 3-A Private Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2021 after completing over 70 percent of his passes for 2,513 yards and 25 touchdowns while rushing for 297 yards and 11 scores … Started as a freshman in 2020 and accounted for 2,217 total yards and 23 total touchdowns (18 passing, five rushing) … Multi-sport standout who also starred for the Calvary Day basketball and lacrosse teams … Committed to the Vols in March 2023 … Chose Tennessee over 27 other Division I offers, including eight SEC programs … Coached by Mark Stroud … Enrolled at Tennessee in January 2024 and went through Citrus Bowl practices and 2024 spring practice … Son of Kim and Jeremy Merklinger … Has one brother, Ryan, who played college football at Western Illinois and Valparaiso ... Majoring in sports management ... X handle is @JakeMerklinger … Instagram handle is @jakemerklingerFB | Andre Turrentine Media Availability (9.8.25)
Monday, September 08
FB | Star Thomas Media Availability (9.8.25)
Monday, September 08
FB | Josh Heupel Press Conference (9.8.25)
Monday, September 08
FB | Aguilar, Brazzell, Gilbert Postgame vs. ETSU (9.6.25)
Saturday, September 06
