Recruit Snapshot: Jake Merklinger
Quarterbacks often receive too much credit, blame, and spotlight. That is simply the nature of the position. The importance of quarterback play is often dramatically overplayed in many offenses, however Josh Heupel’s system at Tennessee is predicated on quarterback play. A good signal caller can make that system absolutely hum, and it looks almost unstoppable. When quarterback play is off, the offense can sputter. As a result, recruiting quality quarterbacks, building a depth chart of guys Heupel trusts and is confident in running his offense is critical. The latest addition to that pipeline is Jake Merklinger of Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia, and he already looks every inch the part.
Passing the Eyeball Test
Merklinger is a 6’4” and 205 pound quarterback that looks exactly like the mental image scouts have of a prototype pro style signal caller. Merklinger has the height to survey the field, see over his linemen, and the frame to take physical punishment. That frame also has the ability to add muscle as he spends more time in an SEC strength and conditioning program. From a measureable standpoint, Merklinger has all the desired tools in his toolbox.
Arm Talent for Days
Against crosstown nemesis Savannah Christian, Merklinger threw multiple passes of over forty yards in the air, some nearing fifty, with velocity, and put them on his receivers’ hands. The timing and accuracy on the throws going deep downfield was incredible. Merklinger shows the ability to not just make any throw required of him in any offense, but he also delivers the passes exactly where they need to be. That type of accuracy and arm strength translate to any level of football. Merklinger is more than just a deep ball thrower, however. His ability to drill the ball into tight windows, on time in the offense, is also extremely impressive. Ten and fifteen yard in-breaking routes, Merklinger looks to be driving nails. These are all qualities that translate directly into the offense that Tennessee runs.
More Than A Passer
For all the talent as a passer, and there is plenty of that, there is more to Merklinger’s game. He is a willing, capable ball carrier, and not just on scrambles. Calvary Day has a lot of plays designed to take advantage of what Merklinger can do as a runner. He is a legitimate threat to a defense when he keeps the ball on a read option, able to rack up chunk yards, elude defenders, and break tackles. Playing against a Savannah Christian team that had multiple future SEC players, Merklinger did real damage with his legs for the Cavaliers, which should also fit well as he transitions to the offense in Knoxville.
Tough As Shoe Leather
Typically, when discussing quarterbacks, toughness usually ties directly to the mental side of the game. Merklinger has that in abundance, as he demonstrated on Friday night. In the first drive against Savannah Christian, Merklinger got lit up on a blitz by the Raiders that resulted in him being off target and throwing a pick six. Where many quarterbacks could spiral after such a start in a rivalry game, Merklinger talked about having a golf mentality, recovering from a bad shot, and finishing the rest of the course to the standard. A couple absolute dimes on deep touchdown passes later, and Merklinger showed he could follow a bogie with a couple of eagles.
Mental toughness is not all that Merklinger showed. He is a physically tough football player, weathering some big hits from a physical Raiders squad, and delivering quite a few of his own as a ball carrier. Merklinger is happy to run between the tackles, pick up tough yards, and play to contact to move the chains. Despite a game with multiple passes that were all but perfect, the play of the game for Merklinger was with his legs.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Calvary Day held a 28-21 lead over a Savannah Christian squad that was itching for another possession and a chance to answer. The Cavaliers put together an impressive drive that took over five minutes off the clock, where Merklinger was on time and on target to move the chains several times. Down inside the ten, the Raiders were trying to make a stand. They elected to send the heat after Merklinger on a third and goal. Merklinger identified it, reset his blockers, and had to scramble out to his right. He avoided one rusher, cut inside to run through another tackle, and was met with another defender squared up on him just before the goal line. Merklinger, without an hesitation, dropped his shoulder and ran through the defender to score the game sealing touchdown. That kind of physicality and toughness from the quarterback position is rare, and Merklinger’s physicality and attitude are among his greatest strengths.
Made For This Stuff
After watching Merklinger in a huge rivalry game in front of a packed, rowdy house, against a defense with SEC commits, and where he faced adversity early, he looks like he was made to play in this Josh Heupel offense for Tennessee. Calvary Day runs a lot of the same principles and staple plays as the Vols, which should translate to familiarity and comfort for Merklinger. He has the arm to make all the throws in a Tennessee scheme that requires strong armed quarterbacks to function, the ability to hit deep balls on target, and can add his legs to the equation as well. Merklinger js mechanically sound as a passer, with crisp, clean footwork, and exceptional accuracy as a result. He processes information well, makes the correct read, and delivers the ball on time and on target. Merklinger is a polished product already with Calvary Day, and he certainly looks like a perfect match physically and mentally for what Josh Heupel wants out of his quarterbacks on Rocky Top.
