Ohio State has an analogous QB situation to UT's 2026 QB situation

[NighthawkVol]

Ohio State had a 3-way QB battle in the spring and fall between a RSSo. (Lincoln Kienholz), a RSFr. (Julian Sayin), and a true freshman 5* (Tavien St. Clair).

The RSFr. won the job., Kienholz is listed as 2nd string, and St. Clair is 3rd string.

Tennessee's QB battle next spring (barring a transfer) will be between Merklinger (RSSo.), MacIntyre (RSFr.), and Brandon (Fr.). The interesting thing is that they're all even similarly ranked recruits as the Ohio State 3, with the true freshman being the highest ranked in both cases.

It will be interesting to see if St. Clair transfers or sticks around, given that Sayin has 4 years of eligibility left. I'm guessing Kienholz transfers. Similarly, if Mac wins the UT job (my money is on that), will Brandon stick around? I'm guessing Merk transfers. If the true freshmen are patient (I know, they're kids), St. Clair and Brandon (if he doesn't win the job next year), could wait 2 years, learn the system, and then Sayin and Mac could go pro early, and they're starting as RS sophomores.

Anyway, thought the analogous situations were interesting. It will be interesting to watch OSU's play out...maybe an indication of how UT's will play out.

 

[Oldvoldad]

Ohio State had a 3-way QB battle in the spring and fall between a RSSo. (Lincoln Kienholz), a RSFr. (Julian Sayin), and a true freshman 5* (Tavien St. Clair).

The RSFr. won the job., Kienholz is listed as 2nd string, and St. Clair is 3rd string.

Tennessee's QB battle next spring (barring a transfer) will be between Merklinger (RSSo.), MacIntyre (RSFr.), and Brandon (Fr.). The interesting thing is that they're all even similarly ranked recruits as the Ohio State 3, with the true freshman being the highest ranked in both cases.

It will be interesting to see if St. Clair transfers or sticks around, given that Sayin has 4 years of eligibility left. I'm guessing Kienholz transfers. Similarly, if Mac wins the UT job (my money is on that), will Brandon stick around? I'm guessing Merk transfers. If the true freshmen are patient (I know, they're kids), St. Clair and Brandon (if he doesn't win the job next year), could wait 2 years, learn the system, and then Sayin and Mac could go pro early, and they're starting as RS sophomores.

Anyway, thought the analogous situations were interesting. It will be interesting to watch OSU's play out...maybe an indication of how UT's will play out.

Merklinger won't stick around. I would project he lands somewhere like Ga Tech.

 

[Wahoooo]

Don’t be surprised if we also add a QB from the transfer portal.

So far in JH’s tenure, the under the radar QBs have performed better than the 4-5 star recruits.

 

[farmdogvol]

Merklinger won't stick around. I would project he lands somewhere like Ga Tech.

Agree with this, unless Merk outplays Gmac against UAB and NMSU. So far Gmac has looked better. The question is what happens at end of 2026. Merk certainly has a bright future ahead of him, unfortunately it probably won't be at UT.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Someone explain to me why Aguilar has no eligibility after this year. He has played 2 years of JUCO and this is his 3rd year in FBS. He should still have 1 year of eligibility due to the Pavia rule shouldnt he? I thought JUCO years no longer counted against eligibility.

 

[miket4god]

Someone explain to me why Aguilar has no eligibility after this year. He has played 2 years of JUCO and this is his 3rd year in FBS. He should still have 1 year of eligibility due to the Pavia rule shouldnt he? I thought JUCO years no longer counted against eligibility.

Only 1 Juco year doesn't count currently.
It's not that no JUCO years count.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Only 1 Juco year doesn't count currently.
It's not that no JUCO years count.

Thank you. That clears it up then.

 

[perico]

Don’t be surprised if we also add a QB from the transfer portal.

So far in JH’s tenure, the under the radar QBs have performed better than the 4-5 star recruits.

Hooker and Milton were both 4 star recruits out of HS seen as guys with big upsides. The only one who would match under the radar would be Joey.

 

[volfan411]

Ohio State had a 3-way QB battle in the spring and fall between a RSSo. (Lincoln Kienholz), a RSFr. (Julian Sayin), and a true freshman 5* (Tavien St. Clair).

The RSFr. won the job., Kienholz is listed as 2nd string, and St. Clair is 3rd string.

Tennessee's QB battle next spring (barring a transfer) will be between Merklinger (RSSo.), MacIntyre (RSFr.), and Brandon (Fr.). The interesting thing is that they're all even similarly ranked recruits as the Ohio State 3, with the true freshman being the highest ranked in both cases.

It will be interesting to see if St. Clair transfers or sticks around, given that Sayin has 4 years of eligibility left. I'm guessing Kienholz transfers. Similarly, if Mac wins the UT job (my money is on that), will Brandon stick around? I'm guessing Merk transfers. If the true freshmen are patient (I know, they're kids), St. Clair and Brandon (if he doesn't win the job next year), could wait 2 years, learn the system, and then Sayin and Mac could go pro early, and they're starting as RS sophomores.

Anyway, thought the analogous situations were interesting. It will be interesting to watch OSU's play out...maybe an indication of how UT's will play out.

I don't see a scenario where Merk stays after this season so the question is how comfortable is CJH with only having G-Mac or Brandon as legit candidates for the job next season.