Merk is entering the portal

#26
#26
VOLinNorthKnox said:
Merk doesn't have the arm strength or ability to process the field and go through his reads fast enough for most high level programs (Talking the Bama, LSU, UGA, Texas, Tennessee etc. of the world). You can get away with 1 or the other at some levels, but not both. I wish nothing but success wherever he lands.
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Not sure G-Mac has the arm strength either he under threw a couple of deep balls in his limited time this year. I remember wondering at the time if the arm strength was there.
 
#34
#34
voltoo said:
I don’t come here to troll. I have been a Vol fan since I was a kid. I am 76 yrs old. I have two grandsons in Savannah and they are big fans of Merklinger. I have seen Merklinger play very little. He will probably develop at a major school.
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Heupel developed a QB who went 10-2 as a starter and started a playoff game last year. I would personally rather admit to being a troll than being this unknowledgeable.
 
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#35
#35
cgrish said:
I can’t blame him. Wonder how much nil money was wasted on him riding the pine..
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Had an injury occurred and the choice been true freshman G-Mac, who shouldn't be ready, and..... nobody, you'd have questioned why Heupel didn't have a decent backup on the roster.

Merk was that "what if we get an injury" backup for Joey A this year.
 
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#40
#40
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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#41
#41
bpalmer28 said:
I don't disagree. Think we'll likely start a portal QB in 2026 and between Faizon and GMac they'll know who is next in line by this time next year. One of them take the job in 2027 and the other will bounce.
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I believe there's a pretty good chance G-Mac bounces this year if we grab a "projected starter" QB from the portal and Joey A comes back.

If G-Mac is QB3 AGAIN behind portal QB and Joey A, he's pushing his stock for the next level lower IMO.

Joey A probably is NFL clipboard material at best and you were QB3 to him for 2 years? Hmmm.
 
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#42
#42
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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We have opportunity to play 1 Freshman QB who left in the spring of his Sophomore year.

Nothing against Merk but y'all are trying to make him into something he never was. Never once did he look better than any QB on our roster or anyone who is going to be on our roster.
 
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#43
#43
Managing rosters has become nearly impossible with NIL money and the portal. Building teams always took time and planning. It's hard to plan when you don't know who is going to be around and who isn't.
 
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#45
#45
Hunerwadel said:
Managing rosters has become nearly impossible with NIL money and the portal. Building teams always took time and planning. It's hard to plan when you don't know who is going to be around and who isn't.
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It's also hard for the players. You're chugging along, learning your position, part of coach's team building and poof..... coach goes to the portal to jump over you because a good kid at your position became available in the portal.

Your work as a team building piece is wasted and you need to find somewhere else if you want playing time.

It goes both ways.
 
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#46
#46
SayUWantAreVOLution said:
I believe there's a pretty good chance G-Mac bounces this year if we grab a "projected starter" QB from the portal and Joey A comes back.

If G-Mac is QB3 AGAIN behind portal QB and Joey A, he's pushing his stock for the next level lower IMO.

Joey A probably is NFL clipboard material at best and you were QB3 to him for 2 years? Hmmm.
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GMAC has to hit the weight room for one thing.
 
#47
#47
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.
 
#50
#50
bpalmer28 said:
This is true. Personally, I'd prefer we bring in someone like the ND transfer to truly compete with GMac and Faizon for the job and use the big bucks to add the best DT and S money can buy.
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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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