Tennessee Vols 2024 signee labeled as the 'most efficient' at his position

One of the Tennessee Vols' 2024 signees received a big compliment this week from On3. 

Four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger was labeled as the "most efficient" quarterback in the 2024 class. 

From On3: Other prospects may be more impressive from an arm talent and athletic perspective, but few operate a high school offense in a more efficient manner than Jake Merklinger. The Tennessee signee has a very good feel for the game and is able to throw with accuracy and timing for chunk yardage. He didn’t throw a ton of passes at Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Day relative to his peers, but was deadly when he did – completing 72.1% of his passes for 3,028 yards and 38 touchdowns against just two interceptions. His 13.4 yards per attempt and passer rating of 238.4 is among the best in the cycle.

Merklinger, 6-foot-3/195 lbs from Savannah, GA, is rated in 247Sports' composite rankings as the No. 10 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class and the No. 18 player in the state of Georgia. 

Vols head coach Josh Heupel pointed out on Wednesday while speaking with reporters that he loves Merklinger's competitiveness and makeup. 

"Smart, competitive, he’s got good fundamentals," said Heupel when asked about Merklinger. "We’ve gotta refine some of those things. He’s already been working on those as he stepped foot on campus. But his football IQ, his ability to retain information, process out on the football field. He’s winner. He’s competitive. He’s got the right makeup.”

Merklinger is expected to serve as the primary backup to Nico Iamaleava in 2024.