Merk is entering the portal

#52
#52
Worst kept secret on the team. His situation as starting QB was sealed when Joey was brought in. Hate it for him he wasted a couple yrs of his eligibility here but he still has time to show his ability somewhere.
 
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#53
#53
OrangeBeachVol said:
Worst kept secret on the team. His situation as starting QB was sealed when Joey was brought in. Hate it for him he wasted a couple yrs of his eligibility here but he still has time to show his ability somewhere.
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I hate it for him in that regard, but we was compensated financially about as well as any 2nd stringer in the sport, so he didn’t completely lose out
 
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#54
#54
BruisedOrange said:
Note that in this scenario, GMac is the only player in the QB room who has experience with the system and playbook, will be the go-to guy for the other QBs, and will be responsible for passing along the positive culture that the QB room has enjoyed since Hooker-Milton.

That's a lot of time/leadership demand on a "third semester" freshman.

If he can handle all that, then he deserves fan respect for being a special competitor.
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I have a lot of respect for G-Mac but if he's not going to start in 26, he's going to have to make peace with possibly not being able to beat out Faizon in 27.

Even not buying into the "Faizon won't sit 2 years without transferring out" talk, Faizon is very highly rated and may (or, yes, may not) be a "perfect fit" for Heupel's offense (echoes of Nico hype dancing in my ears.)

G-Mac was QB3 this year, not surpassing Merk even late in the season apparently, and we're currently assessing that Merk probably is currently NOT an SEC caliber QB. What does that say about Heupel's view of G-Mac at the end of the year?
 
#59
#59
voltoo said:
GA TECH , UGA or Clemson will take him.. Hyple has not developed a Freshman QB to start for the Vols since he became our coach. Mac might be the first but he want survive the SEC if he does not put on some weight.

Merklinger is athletic and should be a QB for a major school. QB’s have to transfer in to play at TN. This will hurt us recruiting at TN if some of the QB’s Hyple recruits don’t progress to starters.
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Playing QB at Tennessee is a big deal again. The standard is very high. Exactly as it should be
 
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#60
#60
To the the hand-wringers and pearl-clutchers worrying about the possibility of a QB transferring out due to fear of being recruited over: how do you think teams like AL, GA, OHst are able to do the same thing year after year? They’re constantly recruiting 4-5 star guys to come in. If you can’t win the starting job it’s because you weren’t good enough, simple as that. Iron sharpens iron, they knew nothing was promised when they came here. If we have players transfer out so be it, that’s what happens with high level recruiting.
 
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#61
#61
TheVolsFrog said:
I'm going to go out on a limb that CJH and the QB room are confident that JA will get another year and that it's best for Merk to move on if he wants playing time, otherwise he would've waited till Friday. The NCAA is supposed to respond to the lawsuit by this Friday. I understand entering the portal early to get a head start but right now there are a lot bigger names in there to be considered
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What Is your source on the lawsuit being responded to on Friday? I hope you are right! Id rather get another year of Aguilar than anyone else
 
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#62
#62
SayUWantAreVOLution said:
I have a lot of respect for G-Mac but if he's not going to start in 26, he's going to have to make peace with possibly not being able to beat out Faizon in 27.

Even not buying into the "Faizon won't sit 2 years without transferring out" talk, Faizon is very highly rated and may (or, yes, may not) be a "perfect fit" for Heupel's offense (echoes of Nico hype dancing in my ears.)

G-Mac was QB3 this year, not surpassing Merk even late in the season apparently, and we're currently assessing that Merk probably is currently NOT an SEC caliber QB. What does that say about Heupel's view of G-Mac at the end of the year?
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I have disagreed with you in the past but I agree if G-Mac couldn't beat out Merk, who most are saying isn't an SEC QB, what makes them now think he is the starter next year??

I still think CJH brings in a one year starter for next season and turns over the keys to Brandon in 27. G-Mac either settles for being a career back-up or transfers IMO.
 
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#63
#63
volfan411 said:
I have disagreed with you in the past but I agree if G-Mac couldn't beat out Merk, who most are saying isn't an SEC QB, what makes them now think he is the starter next year??

I still think CJH brings in a one year starter for next season and turns over the keys to Brandon in 27. G-Mac either settles for being a career back-up or transfers IMO.
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Heupel usually seems to put the older guy in the number 2 slot. It makes sense. If JA went down you’d probably want the more experienced guy over the more talented guy in the short term. I don’t think it’s a reflection of how Heupel views the QB room
 
#65
#65
bigorangepoppa said:
I watched the 2025 season highlights this morning. It's hard to really know when it's a highlight film, but this guy appears to be the real deal. Throws strikes with different arm angles, accurate deep balls, surprising as a runner. He would be a great get, in my opinion. Disclaimer; I did say it was a highlight film.
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I have never seen him play, therefore I cannot comment on his ability.
 
#66
#66
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#67
#67
VolRanch said:
Cincy is my second team. That’s a reach. Talented for sure but in pretty much every big game and against good defenses he was very pedestrian. Would Heup and Co bring something out of him? Maybe but I’d be cautious
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YOU HAVE SIDE TEAM? What the hell, how long has this been going on? Do you think she’s prettier?
lol
 
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#68
#68
vavolfan6 said:
Sorry, this may sound mean but I honestly don't think Merk could start at UTC. This whole narrative of why freshman QBs shouldn't come to Tennessee as they will be passed up is nonsense at this point.

Merk had his opportunity to win the job this summer and he did not. From all scrimmage and practice reports he didn't put up much of a fight. If anything he is choosing to leave becuase he is afraid of the other recruited competition and knows he is more likely somewhere else. Don't be surprised if he ends up at an FCS school.
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From what I have seen of Merck, he has yet develop the confidence needed to play/start at Tennessee or any top 25 team. I would not be surprised if if he transferred to another team and developed into a pretty good QB once he gets the opportunity to play and gain experience.
 
#69
#69
volfan411 said:
I have disagreed with you in the past but I agree if G-Mac couldn't beat out Merk, who most are saying isn't an SEC QB, what makes them now think he is the starter next year??

I still think CJH brings in a one year starter for next season and turns over the keys to Brandon in 27. G-Mac either settles for being a career back-up or transfers IMO.
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The worst case scenario is someone contacts G-Mac this portal season and he jumps too.

I think Joey A will get another year because the NCAA is toothless but we can't depend on that unless they cave completely on Friday when they answer the court.

I hope we roll into the year with Joey A, G-Mac, and Faizon. I hope we can actually avoid the portal QB market this year but I'm sure Coach Heupel has a list of guys ready if we need it.
 
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#70
#70
SayUWantAreVOLution said:
The worst case scenario is someone contacts G-Mac this portal season and he jumps too.

I think Joey A will get another year because the NCAA is toothless but we can't depend on that unless they cave completely on Friday when they answer the court.

I hope we roll into the year with Joey A, G-Mac, and Faizon. I hope we can actually avoid the portal QB market this year but I'm sure Coach Heupel has a list of guys ready if we need it.
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Not sure who would contact GMac though, very little tape. I can't see it being someone able to pay more than what he's being paid here plus he needs more weight.
Friday should at least give us some direction of where law suit is going. I think eventually if it ever gets settled in court, JUCO years are going to not count since the NCAA doesn't govern JUCO.
 
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#71
#71
SayUWantAreVOLution said:
The worst case scenario is someone contacts G-Mac this portal season and he jumps too.

I think Joey A will get another year because the NCAA is toothless but we can't depend on that unless they cave completely on Friday when they answer the court.

I hope we roll into the year with Joey A, G-Mac, and Faizon. I hope we can actually avoid the portal QB market this year but I'm sure Coach Heupel has a list of guys ready if we need it.
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Agree that is best case scenario and I hate having to go to portal every year for a QB. Maybe G-Mac or Brandon becomes the guy in 27 and we have stability for a few years.
 
#72
#72
voltoo said:
GA TECH , UGA or Clemson will take him.. Hyple has not developed a Freshman QB to start for the Vols since he became our coach. Mac might be the first but he want survive the SEC if he does not put on some weight.

Merklinger is athletic and should be a QB for a major school. QB’s have to transfer in to play at TN. This will hurt us recruiting at TN if some of the QB’s Hyple recruits don’t progress to starters.
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Yeah Tayven Jackson is really tearing it up...
 
#74
#74
HooahVol said:
I think one thing Heupel is discovering is he needs a QB with legs. His offense just does not work with a traditional pocket passer. Even Sam Bradford who Heup mentored, while being considered a traditional pocket passer, still could move with the ball. I think Milton and Nico just confirmed it even more. Honestly, Merk may do well at a Big 10 pro style type offense like Michigan.
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Except Merk is a better runner than he is a passer... 🤷
 
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