With the Tennessee Vols getting ready to put the final touches on the 2025 season in the Music City Bowl against Illinois, some head-turning news has come in that will impact the '26 roster. It's that young quarterback Jake Merklinger won't be back in Knoxville next season.
Moments ago, insider Hayes Fawcett reported that Merklinger is planning to enter the transfer portal once things officially open up in January. Merklinger was expected to potentially compete for the QB1 job next fall, but with Joey Aguilar pushing for an extra season and 5-star QB Faizon Brandon on the way to campus, it felt like the writing was on the wall for him:
BREAKING: Tennessee QB Jake Merklinger plans to enter the @TransferPortal, source tells @On3Sports
The 6’3 215 QB will have 2 years of eligibility remaining https://t.