Why Jake Merklinger could play as freshman quarterback for Tennessee football in 2024

Jake Merklinger is the guy behind the guy at quarterback for Tennessee football − and might be another spot down the depth chart entering August.

But whether Merklinger is the backup or the third-stringer going into preseason practices, the freshman still has himself in position to get on the field this season for the Vols.

“He has set himself up to challenge for playing time, which is hard to do in any system in any league for a freshman quarterback,” quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said.

Merklinger is one of two scholarship quarterbacks for the Vols, who began preseason practices Wednesday. He is behind redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava, who is set to start when UT opens the season against Chattanooga on Aug. 31 (12:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network), and serving as a backup along with senior Gaston Moore.

Why Joey Halzle thinks Jake Merklinger could play for Tennessee football as freshman

Merklinger enrolled early at Tennessee and has made enough of an impression to be in position to get snaps as a freshman.

“You feel like you could just roll him in there and he’s going to know how to call the play, he’s going put his eyes in the right spot,” Halzle said. “Is he going to have some growing pains? Absolutely. But he’s a guy that’s definitely got a chance to contribute as a freshman.”

The 6-foot-3 Merklinger was a four-star prospect in the 2024 class. The Savannah, Georgia, native went through spring practices with the Vols, giving him a chance to learn the playbook and spend time in coach Josh Heupel’s offense prior to the preseason.

Halzle felt that Merklinger parlayed his on-field competitiveness into the way he attacked the entire offseason.

“When you go watch him play basketball or play football and that competitive nature − accompanied with his intelligence − allowed him to attack the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-jake-merklinger-could-play-174457921.html

Author : Knox News | The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Publish date : 2024-07-31 17:44:57

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