Early enrollee freshman quarterback Jake Merklinger discusses spring practices

Early enrollee freshman quarterback Jake Merklinger discusses Tennessee’s spring practices.

Tennessee kicked off spring practices on Monday at Anderson Training Center.

The Vols will conclude spring practices with its annual Orange & White Game on April 13 at Neyland Stadium.

The 2024 Orange & White Game will be held with limited capacity. Approximately 10,000 fans will be in attendance due to construction. The Orange & White Game will air live on SEC Network+ and across all Vol Network radio affiliates.

Big screens will be stationed in Lot 9 and the amphitheater outside Gate 21 for fans to watch the Orange & White Game live, as well as the Vols’ baseball game versus LSU.

PHOTOS: Tennessee kicks off 2024 spring football practices

Early enrollee freshman quarterback Jake Merklinger is taking part in Tennessee’s spring practices.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Merklinger met with media following the Vols’ third spring practice. His media availability can be watched below.

How to watch Tennessee signees in 2024 Polynesian Bowl

How to watch Tennessee signees in the 2024 Polynesian Bowl on Friday.

The Polynesian Bowl will take place Friday at Kunuiakea Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Kickoff is slated for 9 p.m. EST and will be televised by NFL Network.

The Polynesian Bowl is contested with top high school players, while celebrating culture. The game is held annually during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week.

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame class of 2024 consists of Dwayne Johnson, Reno Mahe and Domata Peko.

Inductees were selected from a field of over 100 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, including inductee Jack Thompson, coach Dick Vermeil, coach Ron McBride, inductees Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae, Ray Schoenke, broadcaster Neil Everett and NFL Network’s Steve Wyche. All living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame inductees also vote.

Below are Tennessee signees competing in the 2024 Polynesian Bowl. All players signed with the Vols during the early signing period.

Josh Heupel details Jake Merklinger signing with Tennessee

Josh Heupel details quarterback Jake Merklinger signing with Tennessee.

Jake Merklinger signed with Tennessee on Wednesday during the early signing period.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound quarterback is from Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia.

“He’s going to have to grow really quickly,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “He’ll get spoon-fed as we start here in January and grow into spring football.

“Smart, competitive and has good fundamentals. We have to refine some of those things. He’s already been working on those things since he set foot on campus. His football IQ, ability to retain information and process out on the football field. He’s a winner, he’s competitive and has the right make-up.”

READ: Tennessee football 2023 early signing period tracker

Early signing period: Jake Merklinger signs with Tennessee

Early signing period: Jake Merklinger signs with Tennessee

The 2023 early signing period is taking place Wednesday-Friday for the 2024 recruiting signing class.

The 2023 early signing period is Josh Heupel’s third as Tennessee’s head coach. He was hired as the Vols’ head coach in Jan. 2021.

Tennessee’s 2023 recruiting class ranked No. 10 nationally (247Sports Composite). The Vols’ first recruiting class under Heupel in 2022 ranked No. 17 nationally (247Sports Composite).

Quarterback Jake Merklinger signed with the Vols on Wednesday during the early signing period. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound quarterback is from Calvary Day School in Savannah, Georgia.

He committed to Tennessee on March 30.

READ: Tennessee football 2023 early signing period tracker

PHOTOS: Tennessee starting quarterbacks through the years

Updated 2024 football recruiting rankings for Vols’ commits

A look at updated 2024 recruiting rankings for top 300 Tennessee commits.

Updated 2024 Rivals250 rankings were released for top 250 prospects.

After Rivals’ update, Tennessee commitment rankings changed for On3 industry rankings. On3 industry rankings are based on a weighted average between four recruiting media outlets.

Tennessee has 19 commitments in its 2024 recruiting class: Cornerback Kaleb Beasley, defensive lineman Carson Gentle, athlete Marcus Goree Jr., athlete Jonathan Echols, quarterback Jake Merklinger, offensive tackle Jesse Perry, offensive tackle Gage Ginther and safety Edrees Farooq, defensive lineman Jeremias Heard, edge rusher Kellen Lindstrom and running back Peyton Lewis, athlete Boo Carter and linebacker Jordan Burns and offensive lineman Max Anderson, wide receiver Braylon Staley, offensive lineman William Satterwhite and wide receiver Mike Matthews and linebacker Edwin Spillman and offensive lineman Bennett Warren.

Tennessee’s 2024 class ranks No. 8 nationally and No. 5 in the Southeastern Conference after updated On3 industry rankings.

Vols Wire looks at updated 2024 rankings for the top 300 Tennessee commits and are listed below.

Updated 2024 football recruiting rankings for Vols’ commits, targets

A look at updated 2024 recruiting rankings for Tennessee football commits and targets.

On3 released updated On300 rankings for top 300 prospects in the class of 2024 on Monday.

Tennessee has eight 2024 commitments ranked among top 300 prospects: Cornerback Kaleb Beasley, wide receiver Braylon Staley, tight end Jonathan Echols, quarterback Jake Merklinger, running back Peyton Lewis, offensive lineman Max Anderson, safety Marcus Goree and defensive lineman Jeremias Heard.

The Vols have 16 2024 commits, including four-star offensive lineman William Satterwhite. Satterwhite was the first commitment in July for the Vols.

Tennessee’s 2024 class ranks No. 13 nationally and No. 6 in the Southeastern Conference after updated On3 rankings.

Vols Wire looks at updated 2024 rankings for top 300 Tennessee commits and remaining targets.

Updated look at Tennessee’s 2024 football recruiting class entering July

An updated look at Tennessee’s 2024 football recruiting class entering July.

Third-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and his staff continue to build momentum on the recruiting trail.

Tennessee landed four 2024 commitments in June.

Four-star wide receiver Braylon Staley, four-star athlete Boo Carter, four-star linebacker Jordan Burns and four-star offensive lineman Max Anderson all announced their commitment to the Vols in June.

Tennessee enters July with 15 commitments in the class of 2024. The Vols’ class ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 4 in the Southeastern Conference.

2024 SEC football recruiting rankings after Vols’ Braylon Staley commitment

Twitter reaction following Braylon Staley’s commitment to Tennessee

Vols Wire looks at Tennessee’s updated 2024 football recruiting class entering July and is listed below.

Where Tennessee football commits rank in updated 2024 rankings

A look at updated recruiting rankings for Tennessee’s 2024 football commits.

On3 released its updated On300 rankings for top-300 prospects in the class of 2024 on Monday.

Tennessee has five 2024 commits who were ranked among the top-300 prospects. Wide receiver JJ Harrell, quarterback Jake Merklinger, tight end Jonathan Echols, cornerback Kaleb Beasley and safety Marcus Goree all received top-300 rankings.

The Vols have nine 2024 commits, including three-star safety Edrees Farooq. Farooq committed to Tennessee on Sunday following the Orange & White Game.

Tennessee’s 2024 class ranks ninth nationally and fifth in the Southeastern Conference.

A look at updated 2024 SEC recruiting rankings

Vols Wire looks at new rankings for 2024 top-300 Tennessee commits and are listed below.

4-star QB Jake Merklinger commits to Tennessee over MSU, others

Michigan State football has yet again come up just short in a battle for a big-time prospect

Michigan State football has yet again come up just short in a battle for a big-time prospect.

Four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger of Savannah, Ga. announced his commitment to Tennessee earlier this week. Merklinger ranks as the No. 6 quarterback and No. 55 overall prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings for the 2024 class.

Merklinger holds offers from more than 25 programs, including some of the biggest schools in the game. Michigan State was one of four finalists for Merklinger, with North Carolina and Georgia also falling short in this recruiting battle.

With Merklinger off the table, Michigan State will have to shift its focus to another signal caller in the 2024 class.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on Twitter @RobertBondy5.

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UNC misses out on four star QB Jake Merklinger

North Carolina misses out on four-star QB Jake Merklinger.

Officially, the North Carolina Tar Heels won’t be getting four-star quarterback Jake Merklinger with him committing to the Tennessee Vols.

Merklinger, a part of the 2024 class, decided yesterday at Calvary Day School in front of his friends, coaches, and family. Staying true to tradition, Merklinger sat with the four schools he considered, Michigan State, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.

When it was all said and done, his decision was clear, rocking Vols orange under his zipped jacket with a bucket hat to match. Merklinger soon after plastered his decision all over social media, resulting in significant traction.

Merklinger would’ve been the ideal candidate to come to Chapel Hill, with expectations of this being Drake Maye’s final year. The three-sport athlete standing 6’3 posted an 11-1 record as a junior with 36 total touchdowns this past season.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.