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Scholarship traits at the Group of 5 level, with the tools to earn Power 4 looks as you develop.

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Week 1 of college football season is here, and a handful of quarterback competitions are still unsettled across the country. From Clemson's trip to

Intel on remianing QB battles entering Week 1 of college football season

On3 Football

Intel on remaining QB battles entering Week 1 of college football season

The transfer portal has reshaped roster building across college football, but nowhere has the impact been more dramatic than inside the Group of Six,

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Group of Six transfer portal winners: San Diego State, USF & more

The transfer portal season is here and there's a lot of movement expected now that there is only one portal window. College football programs across

UConn Report Transfer Tracker

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2026 UConn Football Transfer Portal Tracker

Former Tennessee quarterback Jake Merklinger has committed to UConn, via the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3 has learned. He spent two seasons with the

Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Tennessee transfer QB Jake Merklinger commits to UConn

The more things change, the more they stay the same. For the fourth time in the last four offseasons and for the fifth time in the last six

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Transfer Portal Big Board: What could be next for Kentucky at QB

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Jake Merklinger was already known as one of the top high school quarterbacks in Georgia heading into his junior year of high school. But Merklinger elevated his game in 2022 to become one of the country’s elite quarterback prospects. Merklinger was named the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year by the Savannah Quarterback Club. He threw for 1,987 yards with 32 touchdowns and just two interceptions and ran for 283 yards and four more scores to earn Region 3-3A Player of the Year honors. “He shows more and more maturity each week, stepping up in the pocket and holding himself in the pocket and rescanning the field,” Calvary Day School coach Mark Stroud said. “Once that first thing breaks down, he does really do a really good job of figuring out what’s next. He's improved every year and proven himself – and I think he's going to get better and better. He has all the physical skills, he's a tremendous competitor and leader – he’s got all the intangibles the best programs are looking for.” Merklinger’s older brother, Ryan, played football at Valparaiso.

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Jake Merklinger

Connecticut Huskies

Quarterback

Connecticut

Michigan State

Not enough on film yet to project a level. Add more game film and verified measurables to unlock a full projection.

Undetermined

A developmental projection today — keep adding film, measurables, and reps, and your evaluation grows with your game.

D-III / Developmental

Scholarship-caliber traits for Division II and NAIA programs, with room to climb through continued development.

Scholarship traits at the FCS level, with room to climb through continued development and film.

Starter-caliber traits for a Power 4 program (SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC). Squarely on major-conference radars.

Power 4 Prospect

Blue-chip traits — a high-priority Power 4 target with the tools to contribute early at the highest level.

Blue Chip

The top of the scale — national-caliber talent that every major program pursues, with a clear NFL trajectory.

Elite / Top 100

Accurate, functionally mobile passer with a strong feel for the game. Measured at around 6-foot-3, 195 pounds prior to his senior season. Hand size has been measured between 9 and 9.25 inches. Among the more accurate and efficient  top quarterbacks in the 2024 cycle.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. Throws with timing and touch. Sees the field well. Can pick up chunks of yards with his legs on designed runs and scrambles. Completed 67% of his passes for 1,987 yards and 32 touchdowns against 2 interceptions as a junior. Does not pass as much as many of his blue-chip peers but is very efficient, with a stellar 13.7 yards per attempt. Does not appear to be as naturally gifted as a pure passer as some other top quarterback prospects relative to arm strength and throwing mechanics. Also plays basketball for his high school.

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Year	Team	GP	CMP	ATT	YDS	TD	QBR
2025	TENN	3	13	24	173	2	142.2
2024	TENN	2	6	9	48	0	111.5
Career		5	19	33	221	2	133.8

Date	Opponent	Result	CMP	ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	QBR
Nov 15	NMSU	W 42-9	1	2	-2	-1	0	41.6
Sep 20	UAB	W 56-24	3	8	57	7.1	0	97.3
Sep 6	ETSU	W 72-17	9	14	118	8.4	2	182.2

Jake Merklinger

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